Is your knee replacement causing you extreme discomfort or inhibiting your lifestyle? Read on to learn what you can do to seek help
Nearly anytime one hears of an FDA recall in the news, it’s a common reaction to make certain one doesn’t have that item in the pantry, the refrigerator, or the medicine cabinet. Likewise, when we receive recall info regarding our vehicles steering column or airbags, we rush the vehicle down to the shop to have it investigated. Still, not all recall information is so openly communicated. In fact, when it comes to medical device recalls, those who have a faulty product or device operating within their body are often unaware of the danger they face until symptoms begin to arise or until it is entirely too late.
In February 2013, the FDA issued a Class I recall for the diaphyseal sleeve used in DePuy’s knee Limb Preservation System (LPS). Class I recalls are reserved specifically for when there is reasonable probability that a product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. According to the FDA, the segment of the DePuy Knee LPS simulating a joint poses a fracture risk, which can lead to serious complications for the recipient.
Specifically, the FDA states that the taper connection between the sleeve and the base of the joint segment may not be able to withstand weight as it is shifted to the joint during normal, everyday movement. Walking, running, and even bending at the knee for those with this replacement mechanism are at severe risk of injury. Should the sleeve fracture at the taper joint, those with the DePuy Knee Replacement product are at an increased risk of loss of function, loss of limb, infection, compromised soft tissue, and even death.
DePuy Knee Replacement Problems
If you had a DePuy Knee Replacement implanted between 2008 and July 2012, you may be subject to complications related to the faulty medical device. Signs of failure may include the following:
- Limited range of movement
- Infection
- Device dislocation
- Warm, inflamed, or red skin
- Stiffness
- Instability in the knee
- Fracture of implant components, femur or tibia
- Loosening of the knee implant
- Swelling and/or pain in the knee
- Abnormal sound in the knee implant
- Decreased ability to walk
- Abnormal gait
In January 2012 the FDA informed hospitals and surgeons of the potential risks associated with the sleeve, requesting that these product lots no longer be used in knee replacement surgeries. According to the FDA, all diaphyseal sleeves manufactured between 2008 and July 2012 are subject to the recall.
Currently, the FDA has received 10 reports of device malfunction related to fracture and loosening of the knee implant. It is, however, likely that many individuals living with DePuy Knee Implants are not aware of the danger posed by the faulty device. If you have had a knee replacement surgery or know someone who has, now is the time to take action to ensure the wellbeing and safety of you or your loved one.
Knee revision surgeries are considered more painful and invasive than a first-time knee replacement, as they usually require breaking the faulty device away from the bone and, in many cases, the implant is cemented into place. Occasionally, these implants can damage the surrounding bone so severely that a reconstructive surgery is required to completely rebuild the knee before a replacement device can be installed. In addition to an excruciatingly painful surgery and rehabilitation period, revision and reconstructive surgeries can also expose patient to an increased risk of infection and other undesirable surgical complications, such as excessive bleeding, deep venous thrombosis, nerve or blood vessel damage, and pulmonary embolism.
Each year, thousands of Americans fall victim to severe injuries at the hands of Big Pharma’s irresponsibility and inaccurate reporting on the safety of their products. If you have a medical implant such as the DePuy Knee Replacement, it is imperative to remain informed about the latest recalls and legal actions against manufacturers responsible for the device.
Taylor Martino Rowan, a personal injury firm based in Mobile, Alabama, seeks to right the injustices performed at the hands of Big Pharma companies. Since 1988, Taylor Martino has embodied one singular, straightforward purpose: the passionate pursuit of justice for plaintiffs. In their nearly 30 years of operation, attorneys at Taylor Martino have obtained more than a billion dollars in compensation for thousands of clients on a local, regional, and national level. Now, the attorneys at Taylor Martino have made it their mission to investigate all claims of injuries related to the implantation of the DePuy knee LPS in all knee replacement procedures. Their team of passionate attorneys possess the knowledge, experience, and dedication necessary to take on Big Pharma using the testimony of those who have had their lives put on hold because of defective devices.
If you’ve suffered any injury, pain, or complications as a result of medical devices such as the DePuy Knee Replacement, contact a Taylor Martino personal injury attorney for a FREE case evaluation today. For more information, visit taylormartino.com or call 1-800-256-7728.
