After years of being hobbled by pain, patients who undergo knee replacement surgery in Florida are supposed to get a new lease on life. Once they have recovered from surgery, patients are told to expect increased mobility and range of motion and significantly less pain.
For many patients, this outcome holds true. However, some - especially those who have received Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex knee replacements - the recovery process will be long and fraught with complications.
The average replacement knee is designed to last more than 15 years. However, surgeons and patients are complaining that the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex fails prematurely. In approximately 9 percent of cases, the artificial knee does not fuse properly to the patient's bone. This causes patients additional pain and can lead to difficulties standing or walking.
Patients whose implants become loose are often required to undergo additional surgeries to fix the problem.
In 2010, Zimmer recalled one tibial component in its NexGen knee replacement system. However, it is still reluctant to acknowledge problems with the component about which surgeons and patients are most concerned - a femoral component that is intended to fuse to the thighbone without the use of cement.
Zimmer generated significant publicity last year after it cut ties with two surgeons who raised questions about the knee replacements' longevity. In the wake of that scandal, Zimmer became the subject of a United States Senate Finance Committee investigation.
Florida Defective Medical Device Lawsuits
Florida residents who have experienced complications from a Zimmer replacement knee or any other defective medical device may have legal recourse to recover for their medical bills, pain and suffering and other damages. Under Florida law, medical device manufacturers have a duty to provide products that are safe to use. Defects are supposed to be corrected before the device is sold to the public.
If you have had a knee replacement and you worry it has not fused properly, the first thing you need to do is see your doctor. Have your doctor examine your knee and outline what is wrong and what steps you must take to recover.
Then contact a Florida knee replacement lawsuit attorney who can advise you of your legal options. You should not be forced to suffer simply because a medical device manufacturer did not do its job right.
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