Contributed Content
Patients suffering from knee pain and joint stiffness will usually find themselves seeking knee replacement surgery when pain becomes unbearable. The Hospital for Special Surgery reports the average lifespan of a replacement knee joint is between 15 and 20 years. However, a recent knee implant recall has been issued for the Depuy Synthes Attune knee replacement system because of the high rate of early failure seen with this equipment. Those who are affected by a failure of the Depuy Attune equipment have the chance to join a class-action lawsuit designed to compensate them for their lost earnings and medical costs.
What to look for in a knee replacement failure
There are a number of ways a patient can identify the symptoms of a knee replacement failure. The first of which is continued pain and stiffness in the joint often accompanied by signs of a fever which leads to stiffness. The majority of those affected by a failure will see a loss of balance and mobility, making it difficult to stand for prolonged periods of time.
Signs of a failure of the Depuy Attune
A knee implant failure owing to the problems seen in the Depuy system will be highlighted by pain and a loss of stability. The main issue for those who feel they may have been affected by this commonly seen failure is the fact they will see far reduced mobility once the implant begins to loosen from the lower leg bones. The problem with the Depuy system was identified by the FDA’s Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database, according to MassDevice. The published study showed failures in three hospitals were higher with Depuy than those seen with the use of other equipment. In most cases, the equipment fails and comes away from the lower leg bones resulting in a loss of mobility in those with a knee implant.
What to expect when a failure occurs
Most of those affected by a knee implant failure will face the problem of revision surgery to replace the existing installed equipment. A new surgery must take place with the installed Depuy Attune system removed from the body and replaced with a new piece of equipment. The knee implant recall results in surgery taking place as the high level of failure seen in Depuy systems makes it unsafe for them to remain installed.
Knee revision surgery is a difficult one to complete because it is more than likely the installed equipment will have become surrounded by the lower leg bone. Removing portions of the bone will leave a limited amount available for the new replacement knee to be attached to. A bone graft is usually required to make sure there is enough available to attach the new knee implant too. The newly designed equipment from Depuy is a vast improvement on the initial Attune and is a common replacement for the faulty equipment.
Why join a Depuy Attune lawsuit
There are many reasons why an individual may wish to join the class action Depuy Attune lawsuit, including the fact the subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson failed to notify the FDA of changes to the design of its Attune equipment. The cost of medical care is high and revision surgery is being paid for as part of the compensation being sought for the Depuy knee implant recall. Compensation is the only recourse for those who wish to see justice served for their lost mobility and time.
