NextGen Knee Replacements
National news outlets have recently reported that over 10,000 NHS patients, and a number of private hospital patients, have received faulty knee replacements and may require a second surgery. On 6 December 2022, the manufacturer, Zimmer Biomet, issued a recall for all NextGen Stemmed Option Tibial Components that have not yet been implanted due to having an unacceptable high revision rate.
Why do patients have knee replacements?
A patient may undergo a knee replacement when they are experiencing severe chronic knee pain or stiffness, which prevents them from completing daily tasks. A standard knee replacement has four parts, including the femoral component, tibial tray, patella component and the polyethylene insert. Knee replacements typically last for approximately 15 years before needing to be operated on again.
What is a NextGen Knee Replacement?
NextGen knee replacements have been used by the NHS and private practices since 2003. Prior to knowing there were problems with the NextGen knee replacements, they were the second most used brand of knee implants in the UK.
However, The National Joint Registry recently reported the Zimmer Biomet NextGen knee replacement had an increased revision rate, with some of the components lasting no longer than 5 years. Additionally, they discovered patients with a NextGen knee implant were twice as likely to experience early failure compared to patients with an average knee implant.
Subsequently, NextGen knee replacements were recalled by Zimmer Biomet due to concerns regarding a higher revision rate with the NextGen Stemmed Option Tibial Components and for the aseptic tibial loosening compared to other knee replacement revision rates. Problems have occurred when the NextGen knee replacement has been paired with specific components in a knee replacement (Legacy Posterior Stabilized Flex or the LPS Flex Gender Solutions Femoral). It has been discovered by the BBC the NextGen knee replacement was known to have a concerning failure rate eight years ago. [1]
What are the symptoms of a failed knee replacement?
Patients, who experience loose knee replacement symptoms may experience pain, swelling, mobility issues, instability, a reduced range of motion, redness and warmth. Patients who received a NextGen knee replacement have reported experiencing severe discomfort.
Patients who have undergone a revision surgery can suffer lifelong consequences, including on-going pain, loss of mobility, instability and weak joints.
What happens if you have had a NextGen knee replacement?
All patients fitted with the recalled knee implants should have been contacted by the hospital where the procedure was performed, informed the product has been recalled, and invited for a check-up. If you experience any pain, or problems, with your NextGen knee implant, it is important to consult your doctor/surgeon as not all components were part of the recall.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has said that it will issue a field safety notice prohibiting the use of the implant. [2]
How can TSP help?
If you think you have been affected by the failure of NextGen knee replacements, our specialist medical negligence team can consider the circumstances of your case during an initial telephone call, and discuss the next steps with you, providing a clear and honest opinion on your chances of a successful claim.
Get in touch with our legal experts by calling 01206 574431 or by emailing enquiries@tsplegal.com.