Could Your Knee Replacement Be Defective?

Knee replacement surgery is a common procedure many adults undergo. In fact, it is one of the most frequently performed joint replacements in the country. Doctors perform more than nearly 1 million knee replacements each year here in the United States. Most patients getting knee replacements are older adults between the ages of 50 and 80. However, younger athletes and adults also get knee replacements. Unfortunately, knee replacement failure can compromise a patient’s health and well-being. Over the years, manufacturers recalled thousands of knee replacements. This has led to patient trauma and lengthy lawsuits. As such, patients need to remain aware of the signs of knee replacement failure.

Understanding Knee Replacement Recalls

When a device defect compromises the safety of patients, manufacturers often issue a device recall. There are many reasons why a knee replacement manufacturer would recall knee implants. Some of those reasons include:

• Faulty design
• Improper fit
• Loosening
• Packaging errors
• Premature wear
• Wrong components

Studies show that knee replacement complications affect a significant number of individuals. As many as 1 in 5 knee replacement patients will experience a complication or issue with their implant. These complications can occur in the months following surgery, or they can occur years down the road. Knee replacement complications caused thousands of people to need dangerous and painful revision surgery. As a result, these patients file defective product lawsuits against the manufacturers for faulty designs.

Signs of Knee Replacement Failure

If you notice any of these signs and symptoms, you may have knee replacement failure. You should contact your doctor immediately.

• Pain in the joint
• Infection symptoms
• Mobility issues
• Swelling in the joint
• Excess fluid in knee
• Thickened joint tissue
• Joint instability
• Warmth around joint
• Fractures

When a knee replacement fails, it can cause serious pain and reduced mobility. This can result in patients needing revision surgery. However, there are serious risks and complications associated with revision surgery. One of those complications is metallosis. This serious condition occurs when bone and soft tissue are infiltrated by metal debris from the artificial joint. This is most common in metal-on-metal implants.

By far, the most common cause of knee replacements is infection in the joint. In the first fifteen years after surgery, infection caused more than half of all failures. The majority of those infections occurred within the first eight years after the original replacement. Infections can also lead to life-threatening conditions if not caught and identified quickly.

As such, talk to your doctor about your treatment options before proceeding. In addition, an experienced attorney can answer your questions.

Get Help With Your Knee Replacement Recall

If you believe you have knee replacement failure, it is important to examine your legal options. A knee replacement defect can cause serious medical concerns. In fact, due to these medical concerns many companies regularly issue knee replacement recalls. To learn more about knee replacement problems and recalls call Walsh Woodard LLC at (860) 549-8440 or fill out our confidential contact form. Our Hartford personal injury law firm can help you with all your knee replacement issues. We have the resources and experience needed to tackle these complex defective products cases.