The replacement of the damaged knee joint with an artificial system can help a patient to get better mobility and to reduce pain. For most patients the surgery goes well and the new knee is a success.
For some, though, the artificial joint turns out to be problematic and to cause more pain as well as complications like bone damage and loss, and joint instability, not to mention the need for revision surgeries.
For some, though, the artificial joint turns out to be problematic and to cause more pain as well as complications like bone damage and loss, and joint instability, not to mention the need for revision surgeries.
Some of the joints that have caused these problems were considered to be faulty and were the subject of voluntary knee replacement recalls.
If you have received a knee that was ultimately recalled, you have rights and you should be aware of what steps you need to take next.
KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY
A knee replacement is typically done for a patient who experiences enough pain and lack of mobility to make the risks of surgery worthwhile.
Arthritis and other conditions can cause enough damage to the joint over time that it becomes too painful to move very much and this can lead to a significant decrease in the quality of life.
A knee replacement can completely turn that around if it goes well, and for most patients it does.
Knee replacements surgeries may be complete or partial, depending on the extent of the damage to the natural joint.
Knee replacements surgeries may be complete or partial, depending on the extent of the damage to the natural joint.
Artificial knees may include the whole joint or only components depending on what the patient needs, and may be made of ceramic, metal, or plastic. Artificial knees may also have a fixed or rotating platform. The latter gives more natural movement to the joint.
DEPUY KNEE REPLACEMENT RECALLS
One of the companies that makes artificial knee systems and one that has faced recalls is DePuy.
The recall came after a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011.
The agency accused DePuy of marketing and distributing products that had not yet been approved. Some of the artificial knees and other products made by the company had been redesigned and released without approval from the FDA.
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