Currently, knee surgery is the most prevalent procedure performed on patients aged 45 years and older – totaling about 600,000 procedures in the U.S. and growing. Unfortunately, the increase in surgeries also brings with it an increase in knee replacement complaints, problems and even failures.
Those who have received an Attune System knee replacement manufactured by DePuy Synthes (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) are no exception. First approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010, the DePuy Attune Knee System was initially heralded as a medical device that gave patients a better range of motion and increased stability. Since that time, the FDA has received numerous complaints through their MAUDE system, describing painful complications that have often resulted in revision and reconstructive surgeries.
One type of complaint involves the loosening of the tibial components, but this could be accompanied by a multitude of other problems or symptoms that include:
- Instability
- Joint Pain
- Swelling or Infection
- Nerve Damage
- Fracturing of Device Components or Surrounding Bone
- Misalignment of Implant Components
When Knee Replacement Surgery Goes Wrong
With today’s advanced medical technology, total knee replacement can be expected to last a patient up to 20 years or more. If the implant prematurely fails, it often involves one of two options that can be both painful and time consuming. For many, a device failure involves revision surgery. This is when the doctors must break the faulty device away from the bone and then cement or re-attach in place. This procedure is often more painful and invasive than the original knee replacement surgery. Sometimes, the device failure causes damage to the surrounding bone and tissue of the knee; requiring reconstructive surgery to rebuild the affected area before then replacing the device. This usually involves even more pain and a longer recovery and rehabilitation period. The intrusive and extensive surgeries can also expose the patient to additional risks such as infection, surgical complications, nerve damage, or even pulmonary embolism.
Shouldn’t You Have Years of Trouble-Free Enjoyment?
Most knee replacement surgeries give the recipients years of improved function with few problems and less pain—but not always. Sometimes product failure involves a defectively designed component that requires correction, usually at the inconvenience and suffering of the patient. If you or a family member has experienced such issues or other complications from a DePuy Attune knee component, our law firm of Childers, Schlueter & Smith might be able to help. If you have questions, please give us a call at 1-800-641-0098. All initial inquiries are free of charge and without obligation.
A partner with Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC, Richard Schlueter has spent his career representing individuals and families who have been harmed as the result of wrongful conduct by others. Recently, Richard was selected for inclusion into the Nation’s Top 1 percent of lawyers by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel (NADC).
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