Zimmer CEO Boasts of Gains, US Patients Complain of Pains

About 350 components used as part of Zimmer NexGen knee replacements were quietly recalled last year because some were found to have nonconforming and inconsistent geometry. This, however, has not affected their bottom line, as a recent financial report on Zimmer saw them beating analyst’s predictions. CEO David Dvorak recently stated that, “Our results reflect improved sales execution in support of new product introductions across our diverse geographic channels, as well as the positive impact of operational improvement initiatives and continued disciplined capital deployment." Some see this as a move by the company to generate revenue from area’s where their reputation has not been hurt by the recalls issued against them.

In 2010, Zimmer quietly issued recalls for Zimmer NexGen knee replacement components that may have been used in thousands of individuals throughout the United States. Following reports of at least 114 Zimmer NexGen knee replacement problems, the manufacturer issued a recall for Zimmer NexGen MIS Tibial Components, NextGen TM

Zimmer Knee Study Doesn’t Look Good for Manufacturers

The Food and Drug Administration recently commissioned a study on the effectiveness of the FDA’s pre-market approval process for artificial joints such as the Zimmer NexGen and DePuy ASR and DePuy Pinnacle systems. The results of this study are about to be released – while, at the same time, proponents of the orthopedics industry are rushing to negate the impact of the results of the study before they are even published. It is likely that the study will recommend harsher regulations for the approval of new knee implant devices. The Food and Drug Administration is currently using a program that can “fast track” the medical device approval process, which has resulted in several products currently on the market which have a high rate of premature knee failure and other knee implant complications, including the Zimmer NexGen system.

The study, conducted by the Institute of Medicine, will likely have an impact on the way new medical devices are approved for use across the country. This could cut the risks for complications experienced by hundreds – even thousands – of patients, and will also likely reduce the number of patients having to undergo Zimmer knee revision surgery after experiencing knee implant failure. Knee revision surgery is a painful, complicated, and expensive procedure that is intended to fix problems associated with a knee implant failure in a patient.

Zimmer CEO Boasts of Gains, US Patients Complain of Pains

About 350 components used as part of Zimmer NexGen knee replacements were quietly recalled last year because some were found to have nonconforming and inconsistent geometry. This, however, has not affected their bottom line, as a recent financial report on Zimmer saw them beating analyst’s predictions. CEO David Dvorak recently stated that, “Our results reflect improved sales execution in support of new product introductions across our diverse geographic channels, as well as the positive impact of operational improvement initiatives and continued disciplined capital deployment." Some see this as a move by the company to generate revenue from area’s where their reputation has not been hurt by the recalls issued against them.

In 2010, Zimmer quietly issued recalls for Zimmer NexGen knee replacement components that may have been used in thousands of individuals throughout the United States. Following reports of at least 114 Zimmer NexGen knee replacement problems, the manufacturer issued a recall for Zimmer NexGen MIS Tibial Components, NextGen TM Tibial Trays, NexGen MIS Modular Tibial Plates and Keels. The Zimmer NexGen MIS knee recall affected more than 68,000 knee components that were distributed throughout the United

Zimmer Runs Strong Despite Knee Breakdown

Zimmer Holdings represented the leading company providing knee replacement implants in 2010 with a 26% market share. This news comes, despite the findings that show that 36 percent of the Zimmer knee replacements showed signs of loosening after two years. Since the Zimmer NexGen knee replacement system has been on the market, almost a quarter of a million people in the US alone have had Zimmer knee implants. However, the Zimmer knee replacement, namely theNexGen CR-Flex Porous Femoral component, has recently been linked to a variety of problems, from loosening of the implant to failure of the replacement knee, requiring Zimmer knee revision surgery.

Zimmer NexGen Knee In Danger of High Rate of Failure

More than 200,000 potentially defective Zimmer NexGen knee replacement components may have been used throughout the United States, which could have caused thousands of people to experience problems or require additional Zimmer knee revision surgery due to early failure of their knee replacement. In March 2010, data was presented at a conference of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons by several prominent knee surgeons that suggested some Zimmer NexGen components may have a higher-than-expected failure rate. Surgeons reported that nearly 9% of cases they reviewed involving the use of the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Porous Femoral components resulted in revision surgery within two years and more than a third showed signs of loosening.

Zimmer Knee Lawyers Look to Illinois as Possible Litigation Center

Many patients of the Zimmer NexGen knee replacement system who have experienced associated complications such as Zimmer Knee failure and knee revision surgery are looking for compensation from orthopedics giant Zimmer, compensation which could help cover costs associated with complications. Damages or settlement money could help a patient handle medical bills, costs associated with revision surgery, lost wages, and loss of quality of life. At last report, there were 28 Zimmer NexGen lawsuits making their way through courts across the country, and some legal experts estimate that more than 200 could be added in the coming months.

Zimmer Knee Revision Surgery: Grounds for Legal Action?

Patients of Zimmer’s popular NexGen knee replacement system could be seeking legal action as more and more reports surface of the possible connection between the artificial joint and knee revision surgery, a complex and risky medical procedure. Zimmer knee revision surgery occurs when a knee replacement system experiences failure, and seeks to revise or replace the failed joint. However, it is complicated by issues such as scar tissue and damage to the bone around the joint from previous surgeries and the joint failure itself, making the procedure risky and increasing healing and rehabilitation time.