Zimmer NexGen Knee Lawyers: Reports of Replacement Knee Problems and Revisions

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted March 31, 2010

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At a recent conference of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, several prominent knee surgeons presented data suggesting that the rate of failure for certain Zimmer NexGen replacement knee systems is “unacceptably high,” with many knee replacement patients experiencing loosening with the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex Porous Femoral implant and requiring revision surgery within a few years. The Zimmer NexGen knee lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are investigating potential product liability lawsuits for individuals who have experienced problems with this replacement knee product.

>>INFORMATION: Zimmer NexGen Knee Replacement Lawsuit

This Zimmer NexGen knee has a “high-flex” porous femoral component that attaches to the bottom of the thighbone instead of using cement to keep the knee replacements in place. As a result of what some are considering a defective and unreasonably dangerous design, patients could have been exposed to an unnecessary risk of problems with Zimmer NexGen replacement knees.

According to the data presented earlier this month, knee surgeons at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago identified at least 9 patients who required revision surgery for the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex knee, and another 39 patients who had evidence of radiographic loosening.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the authors of the study have previously presented their concerns to the manufacturer and called for a recall of Zimmer NexGen knee replacement products from the market.

ZIMMER KNEE REPLACEMENT FAILURE AND COMPLICATIONS

Our product liability attorneys have been investigation Zimmer Durom Cup lawsuits against this manufacturer over the defective design of their hip replacement implants that were temporarily recalled in July 2008. In response to information on our website about those cases, we have received several calls from individuals who have experienced problems with Zimmer knee replacements.

The potential for Zimmer NexGen lawsuits are now being reviewed by our knee replacement lawyers for individuals who have experienced Zimmer NexGen replacement knee problems, including:

  • Unexplained pain after knee replacement
  • Loosening of replacement knee
  • Revision knee surgery to correct problems with a Zimmer knee replacement

To review a potential case and find out whether you, a friend or family member may have a claim, request a free consultation with our Zimmer NexGen Knee replacement lawyers.

25 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Albert says:

    I have had two knee replacements with the Zimmer knee Nexgen. They did not even last for 3 months. I had a revision done with the Smith and Nephew Legion; this one did not last 1 week. The doctors says its all normal but I am in pain everyday; pain that I feel all the way to the bone. This is going on for over 2 years. It appears the doctors treat me like they do not know what to do with my situation or I am a problem that should just disappear.

    Posted on August 21, 2010 at 3:23 pm

  • Paul says:

    I have had two (2) Zimmer Nex/Gen knee replacements since 2005 and the pain and suffering I have experienced , no human should have to endure. And most recently a third revision 08/2010 with a different brand and I’m in a healing process at the present time. For 5 years I used all my work vacation time for sick days due to the pain and unable to function properly standing or walking. All the doctor did was kept me on pain medication and if not for my wife persistence that I see another doctor which I saw 2 others before finding one that showed on ex-ray that the Zimmer was loose an fused into my muscles. It took 5 surgery hours to remove the Zimmer and reconstruct my muscles and now I’m having to have the muscles heal along with everything else.

    Posted on September 8, 2010 at 4:35 pm

  • Monica says:

    I have had 3 knee replacements,8/06 being the first which was wonderful..back on my feet in no time,then in 8/08 I fell off of a defective porch breaking replacement lose. The first 2 were smith&nephew.I would recomend this company all day long..then In March 2010 they said the cement was breaking lose and I needed yet another replacement.This I was forced due to different insurance to be done by a different Dr.,different hospital,different prostetic, this one is a ZIMMER!!!! I am in so much pain,big lump on thiegh,waking in the middle of the night by sharp pains from thiegh,to toes.Still cant feel 1/2 of my leg and no feeling in 3 toes and 1/2 of my foot.I was just in last week for yet another visit to Dr. Only to here yet AGAIN,it was a 3rd surgery it lasted 7 1/2hrs,its going to take time,first it was a few months then 6-8 mo. now 10 months later I get more pain pills and “well could be 16-18 months,your half way there kiddo” NOT what I was waiting to here,I was just aproved for ssd and now w/medicare I am going to get another opinion cause the more I am doing the worse its getting…Im sick of the pains the limitations,and depresion..Im only 44 and feel like 80..I wish the best for all you folks that apear to be in the same boat as myself!!!!!

    Posted on November 29, 2010 at 5:41 pm

  • Kathleen says:

    I would like to say “Don’t have a knee replacement”…PERIOD. I thought I was in pain before, but now the pain Is so constant so always there, 24/7. Not only can I not walk but I can’t even enjoy sitting or lying down. I would give anything to go back to the need to sometimes take medication for pain, than to now LIVE on pain medication every single day of my life..
    First I had the Zimmer NexGen LPS (R) knee replacement. I have now had a second replacement and it has only eased some of the pain. I STILL can’t walk, nor can I enjoy my usual ballroom dancing (three times a week) that I use to do. Never again will I have a normal life in any way. Can you say “SCOOTER”…electric chair? Pease do think twice about what you should do. I thought I did all my research, but that was NO help to me. Kathleen in Utah

    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 5:23 pm

  • GEORGE says:

    I HAVE HAD 8 KNEE OPERATIONS ON MY LEFT KNEE. I AM ON MY THIRD TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT SINCE DEC OF 05. FIRST ONE INFECTION SECOND ONE LOOSENESS THIRD INDFCECTION AND NOW JUST HAD BONE SCAN AND X-RAYS SHOW LOOSENESS AND I HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY AGAIN FOR MY 9TH OPERATION 2 REVISIONS MY KNEE All WAYS HAS PAIN AND SWELLING

    Posted on December 23, 2010 at 4:11 am

  • Donna says:

    I had arthroscopic knee surgery after falling down the stairs at work and damaging the catilage to the bone. The Dr. removed the damaged cartilage and I was left with my knee sitting bone on bone and I was unable to straighten my leg. The Dr then told me my only alternative was a total knee replacement which was done in May09. I now live in constant pain and still can’t straighten my leg. I switched Ortho doctors after the one that did my surgery kept trying to tell me that it was perfect. I have been through Physical therapy since my suergery and still can’t straighten it. My new Ortho doc released me with a 40% disability rating which has left me unemployed. I am still doing pain management and continue to be on Narcotics daily.I am only 46 years old, a nurse and I too feel like an eighty year old.

    Posted on January 3, 2011 at 8:39 pm

  • Sheila says:

    Donna, I too got hurt at work. I slipped and slid into a metal frame of a bed with both my knees at an angle, so the left hit first and was the worst. I had the knee cleaned out and was out of work in April 09. I did Pt 3X a week and was still in constant pain. I too am a nurse and 46 yrs old. I had a tkr in Sept 09 and have been 10X worse from when spinals wore off. I too, lost my job and benefits. I did 18 mos of pt. Its ironic that my dr too stated my knee was “PERFECT” and in the next breath, stated, “YOU CAN NEVER WORK AGAIN”. I am on comp due to the fact I came out with neuro issues as well right from the start and pain that has not been able to be controlled since. I too am on meds daily and dont sleep and dont have a life. My familys’ life has been turned upside down. I have a wheeled walker with a seat cuz I cant stand for very long or walk long. I have no stairs in my home thank god, but I cant even clean it. Dr told me to apply for ssd and I was denied r/t case not finished and next day got a letter that all my info was stolen from ssd office. Dr states my knee if perfect and that I will never find anyone to say different and if I do, “give him a call”. I am in bed 24/7 and my life is awful. I feel like I know what its like to be elderly and I use to walk everyday. I just want to walk and be able to dance with my husband again. I cant climb stairs or shower or bathe when no one is home. I cant put shoe on n have been in flip flops for 2 yrs, even in winter. I feel for you n ur pain and I asked dr what was in my knee n he stated, “ZIMMER NEXGEN” I wouldnt recommend to anyone. I cry daily from pain and lost my life except for breathing and still being alive.

    Posted on January 5, 2011 at 1:54 pm

  • JENNIFER says:

    Why is it that the Dr. cannot understand what you all are going through. My husband is in the same situation. They should LISTEN TO THEIR PATIENTS. THEY ARE DR. NOT GOD OR MAYBE THEY ARE JUST FULL OF THEM SELVES. They should spend time with the patient to find out why they are still in PAIN FOR SO MANY YEARS AND FIND A SOLUTION.

    Posted on January 9, 2011 at 9:07 pm

  • Ron says:

    I had replacement knee surgery with zimmer 5886 in 12/07 & 4/08 on left and right knee and have had swelling and pain in both knees to the point of not being able to work, not being able to walk without pain and swelling. I was off work 13 months before going on light duty two weeks before leaving the company. that was 62K plus benefits due to pain. Doc. said everything looked ok on visits and gave pain pills. Now that I know there is a problem with replacements i will consult new physician and get different manufacture insert installed. I felt like wolfman (on my tiptoes, fighting not to fall forward )used a cain for 6 months. had therapy for 11 months no use.and gave up.

    Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:46 pm

  • Ranae says:

    Had double total knee replacements June 11 2010 / Zimmer Netgen. Have been in constant pain. Thought after 6 months the pain would lessen. Has not. Now I’m feeling over-whelmed as to what I should do. Dr has not been much help. Hurts to stand and walk. Feels as if I have a 25lb weight around each knee. Doing research to find Dr for a 2nd opinion. Who do you trust out there?!?!

    Posted on January 13, 2011 at 1:31 pm

  • mary says:

    had the journey knee replacement done 19 months ago and have had constant pain in the cap of the knee and on the side and back. haven’t slept through the night for my knee wakes me up with pain and i have to straighten it. have problems with siting for long periods of time. cannot exercise for it hurts when i ride bike or eliptical thus keeping me from exercising where i use too. have another lady friend who after 2 years is experiencing the same thing even more severe left her with a limp. when in for a scope which did notthing. they put me on neurontin which i thought helped a little after the 2nd day but it is not doing anything now and i don’t want to keep taking something if it is not working. anyone else out there experiencing problems with the Journey?

    Posted on January 19, 2011 at 11:50 am

  • Charlie says:

    Where to start…… 1st surgery, 1982 to remove bone chips from (L) knee. The cause, very active in all sports as a child, had aggressive P/T and was playing College level soccer 60 days later. In 2002 the scar tissue let loose and the Doctor described it as a meat grinder. In 2004 went thru arthroscopy to remove all the loose cartlidge. In Jan 2005 had a cadaver bone plug replacement which never took. Now my left knee was twice the size as my right. In 2008 I changed Doctors and in Feb the removed the bone plug that was floating around since 2005. Oct. 21st 2008 I had my first Zimmer TKR and it started loosening right away and it took a year to convince the Doctor of the problem and by now I’m taking 900mg of Morphine a Day. On June 1st 2010 was my second Zimmer TKR to correct the first. After two mos. of P/T My Therapist suspended therapy, said you need to get back to ortho and said he could help me get a power chair. My Surgeon is confused. The last X-Ray looks like the femur component wants to come completely out, Thank God for the Tibial component. I have now been referred to SF Med Center for a bone scan on Jan. 31st and Feb. 1st. The pain pills barely curb the pain and after 8 yrs of Chronic Pain I’m ready to have the pain cut off. The bone scan is only going to tell me what I already know. And I don’t know what to do next. My Prayers are with all of you going thru the same thing. And get an Attorney, I did and was told I would also be compensated for all future correction.

    Posted on January 30, 2011 at 9:50 am

  • barbara says:

    is there a difference between a zimmer knee and zimmer next gen?

    Posted on February 2, 2011 at 4:44 pm

  • nancy says:

    I had a zimmer knee p ut in 16 months ago and had two surgeries for scar tissue, but am still having severe pain. Can’t walk up and down stairs, Get up from a sitting position, roll over in bed or get out of a car. Dr. just looks at me like I am crazy.

    Posted on February 3, 2011 at 11:02 am

  • Patti says:

    I had a Journey replacement done 3 years ago. I have been back to my Orthopedist several times complaining about constant pain. I have gone to other surgeons looking for answers. I am now working to repair veins and tendons as a result of surgery; however, I am not sure that is the answer. I took cannot sleep at night — my knee cap moves and sends pain shooting down my leg, It aches during the day. I have pain all down my leg. There is no relief. I won’t take pain killers because it just masks the problem. Who else has had something similar?

    Posted on February 3, 2011 at 11:35 am

  • Diane says:

    I too have been suffering from a knee replacement.. Doctor tolds me i just have to work harder , more therapy.. through extended therapy, and still i can barely walk or bend my leg…I I have lost my job of 20 years, had to quit my schooling , and not being able to afford medical insurance, i have not been able to correct this.. I recently have been put on diability.. I am 51years old, and everything i loved to do….walking with my grandchildren, walking my dog, and just daily life has become about impossible… If anyone can help out there, i have worked my entire life and am now disabled…

    Posted on February 23, 2011 at 12:40 am

  • Kathleen says:

    at age 42, I had a total knee replacement. Im not sure of the kind of replacement it was, I do know that the buzzer at airports alarm goes off when I pass through.. So, if I am eligible to engage with this lawsuit, I am willing. I know my knee swells all the time and very uncomfortable to do my job duties because of the swelling and pain, bends and stair climbing…

    Thank you

    Posted on February 23, 2011 at 6:39 pm

  • Richard says:

    My prayers go out to those who have given their stories. My surgery was 13 months ago. Every movement of my knee brings a “clicking” sound. I still have swelling. When I go down steps…I have pain.

    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 3:01 pm

  • paula says:

    I had TKR on 4/20/10. The implant used was a Zimmer NexGen LPS flex, right size E. I went to my doctor monthly to complain that something was not right. I was told repeatedly that “some patients take longer to recover than others”. In Dec 2010 I had enough from my surgeon who kept saying how great I was doing. My question was if I am doing so great, why can’t I walk? I now have a new doctor and he has been much more understanding and ran additional tests. We have tried every kind of pt and I still can’t walk. I recommend all of you go to bonesmart.org – This organization has really helped me to try and find solutions and they are very supportive and informative. I only found out about 2 weeks ago that my knee was recalled. Why would my original doctor not tell me this???? According to the manufacturer nothing is wrong with the product and no action by doctors was required except for them to return all products in stock to Zimmer. So if there is nothing wrong with the Zimmer NexGen LPS why the recall? I am scheduled for revision surgery but I am scared… but I want a life back. I can not even do the tasks of daily living by myself anymore and feel so bad that I am now a burden to my family.

    Posted on February 25, 2011 at 1:14 pm

  • Diana says:

    I had a Zimmer NexGen as revision components in 2/2005. After, I told my Ortho that I was experiencing pain 24/7 (INSPITE OF PAIN MEDS) and the knee would giveout w/o notice. He said I needed more therapy. I did therapy in the middle of the night. I went to another Ortho in 6/2005. He said it had “failed.” BUT he would not do the replacement. I went to Mayo Clinic. They said the surgery would be complicated with a 20% chance of amputation. I did nothing. Now I’m in a wheelchair and living with the constant pain.

    Posted on March 2, 2011 at 5:22 pm

  • Marie says:

    Paula, know why you are asking these questions.I was told my doctor did not use this device just for them to read the name off to me. A lot of people out there who thinks they are ok….Get a lawyer anyway….won’t cost you a cent if your replacement is ok and not the one being talked about.
    Have done everything they ask me to do….Even things I did not want done because I had already been through it. My second knee replacement was 27 months after the first one. My doctor knew when he did my yearly checkup, had me to return for another checkup the next month. Yes it was not doing what it was suppose to….it was coming uncemented….It hurt then and it still does now….some days I can’t get out of bed..My leg swells and has fever in it and now my veins are busting….never had this problem till lately…God bless you all and good luck.

    Posted on March 6, 2011 at 12:45 am

  • susie says:

    I had a TKR done in Missouri, I was the youngest patient my doctor had ever performed the surgery on. He was supposed to have had a knee specially made for me since I was only 35, but he couldn’t get the mold to fit properly so he used a ‘one size fits all’. I’m now almost 39. Had to go in three times after surgery and fix it due to complications. It swells and am in almost constant pain. Not to mention I can just be standing and fall due to it collapsing. Clicks when I walk or just when I move it, doesn’t seem to matter. He was supposed to have done both, but with what has happened with the right one, the left can fall off before anyone touches it!

    If I can be of any help to have this business of just ‘living with it’ fixed, I’m more than willing to help!

    thanks!

    Posted on April 3, 2011 at 7:42 pm

  • tammy says:

    My prayers are with all of you-I’m in the same position. I had 3 right knee arthroscopes done before the age of 39-after the last one the surgeon told my mom-“I did the best I can but I don’t give it 6 months before she will have to have total knee replacement. Sure enough 2 months later-it went out and i couldn’t walk any more. The surgeon i had to use didn’t want to do it but due to the fact that i couldn’t walk-it wasn’t much of an option. I was only 40 yrs old then, have been a nurse for 17 years. So all you nurses, what is it with us. You all aound just like me. My surgery was done in august of 2004. The surgery as u all know was a nitemare-I went through 3 months of physical therapy to be able to straighten it and to be able to walk-but it still hurt so bad. The doctors would ony give me Darvocet and said-you just have a low pain tolerance! I could only walk short distances and my knee swelled so bad and throbbed everyday. I worked in a nursing home. Ijust kept working-i was a divorced mom of 2 receiving no child support-so against all ethics i continued to work on pain meds which is a definite no-no. i lost one job-finally got another-got some insurance and in 2006 i was able to see a knee surgeon-they did x-rays and a bone scan. He said everything was fine because i am able to bend it-its just standingand walking that make my life horrible. he said-you need to go to apain clinic-which i was referred to. I have had nere blocks, injections in my knee, been given every anti-inflammatory known to man. I started on Norco-10/325 120 a month, xanax for my anxiey and to help me to sleep and soma. That was in 2006. I am now up to Hydrocodone 10/650-240 a month-8 of those a day, Xanax 3 times a day, Soma 3 time a day,Lyrica twice a day, Oxycodone 30mg every 4 hour. plus i have lupus and a seizure disorder. Needless to say, I can’t work-i am a zombie and MY KNEE STILL HURTS<I have the Zimmerman Nex Gen LPS. Some lawyers say that one is not included in the lawsuits. But i have a few that say it is. I've not been able to see another knee surgeon because i have no insurance, no job, get food stamps, my ex-husband pays for me to go to the pain clinic because he can't stand to see me in the pain, but that is all he is able to afford to do. I have applied for my disability-denied once and got a lawyer and am scheduled for a hearing on November 4th-if i am approved-they say i will able to get medicaid-so maybe i can see a knee surgeon. I have lived my entire life to taking care of the elderly-that was my home and they meant so much to me. My career has been taken away, i can't go to grocery store or even clean house- i am very limited. scared to take a bath without no one home-i have fell several times. my knee clicks and pops all the time.My prayer is that something can be done for all of us-WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE OUR LIVES IN THIS HORRIBLE PAIN!. I am 47 years old andi feel like I'm 80. God Bless and the best of wishes forall of you-keep me in your prayers also. Thanks for listening to me.

    Posted on October 9, 2011 at 3:13 am

  • Mike says:

    I am just over 50 and used to be a very physically active self sufficient person. I just had my 3rd knee done to fix the first two. This is at 52 years old, 3 TKR’s, 2 of them revisions in less than 4 years. Different doc every time, because the previous docs screwed up. This third surgery is worse than the first two put together. At this point I am looking at possible amputation because I may be too far gone to do anything else. All ortho surgeons will cover their own asses before they admit to any fault or fixing their own crap work. Possibly the greatest reason they willl not help a patient if anything goes wrong is because their liability insurance REQUIRES them to do othing that in any way may admit fault, including fixing a mistake which would be by definition an admission to making a mistake that in theory could lead to a malpractice claim. I used to have the highest regard for modern medicine and in America at least with our profit driven system, I am completely disenchanted and frankly fu*&^king pissed off. I will continue to look for someone that hopefully, maybe can restore my life to something other than a living hell, existing in constant pain I can only call torture. If anyone has a doctor on the western side of the USA that can and will help me, please contact me or reply to this thread. Advice to anyone seeking any kind of knee replacement or even any knee surgery. Unless you are in such bad shape that you can not live without surgery DO NOT DO IT. They will not tell you this, but from what I have seen in myself and research and other people I hve talked to and communicated with, “in my opinion” your have a less than 50 % chance of a good outcome. There are too many ortho surgeons practicing medicine that really should have no more responsibility than flipping hamburgers, IN MY OPINION they are a very dangerous breed of doctors. No offense to the 1 or 2 that actually care about patients or have the balls to do the right thing in spite of their corrupt insurance providers.

    Posted on February 26, 2013 at 12:29 am

  • MARILYN says:

    I had both knees replaced in 2010. They still hut=rt lots. My therapist says that my knncaps dont move correctly because of roughness

    Posted on July 12, 2022 at 8:17 pm

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