Some of the Zimmer NexGen knee replacement systems have been linked to a high number of problems, including reports of pain, loosening of the implant and failure of the replacement knee leading to revision surgery.

Unlike most knee replacement systems, whereby a type of surgical cement is used to hold the implant in place, the Zimmer NexGen knee is cementless. The lack of cement appears to increase the risk of the knee replacement loosening and/or needing additional surgery to revise the implant. As a result of problems with the design for certain Zimmer NexGen components, many individuals may face an increase risk of early failure. Zimmer had obtained approval for the NexGen knee replacement components through the FDA’s controversial 510(k) approval process, which is a fast-track to market approval that requires that you prove that the device you are releasing is “substantially equivalent” to one already on the market.

In March 2010, data was presented by a group of knee surgeons that indicates nearly 9% of patients who received the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Porous Femoral component required revision knee surgery within two years and 36% showed signs of the replacement knee loosening. Furthermore, in September 2010, recalls were issued for several components due to apparent manufacturing defects or design defects.

Recently in August 2011, all federal lawsuits involving problems with Zimmer NexGen knee replacements were consolidated as part of an MDL in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where they will be centralized for pretrial proceedings.

The Zimmer NexGen knee replacement systems our firm is currently reviewing are the following:

• MIS (Minimally Invasive Solutions)
• CR-Flex
• LPS Flex
• Gender Solutions

Potential complications include:

• Knee Replacement Failure
• Revision or Replacement of Artificial Knee Device
• Loosening of Replacement Knee Implants
• Knee and Joint Pain
• Difficulty Standing or Walking

The attorneys at Hollis, Wright & Couch P.C. are currently investigating claims involving complications caused by Zimmer NexGen knee replacements. Contact Hollis, Wright & Couch today for a free case evaluation.