subject: Zimmer's NexGen CR-Flex May Cause Harm To Osteoarthritis Patients [print this page] Zimmer's NexGen CR-Flex May Cause Harm To Osteoarthritis Patients
Osteoarthritis of the knees is a debilitating condition caused by deterioration of the knee ligaments, leading to bone-on-bone contact at the joint. Over 21 million people in the United States suffer from the effects of osteoarthritis, making everyday tasks incredibly painful. The typical solution to the condition is knee replacement surgery, which involves replacement of the joint with a synthetic device that is designed to effectively serve the same purpose.
The Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex was first marketed by Zimmerone of the world's largest medical device manufacturersin 2003 and has become one of the most widely used cementless systems in that time. As a cementless knee replacement system, the device connects to the thigh bone through natural in growth rather than a synthetic epoxy, and boasts a wider range of motion than many other knee replacement systems. Unfortunately, it has been the subject of recent debate as some evidence has come to light indicating that the product is prone to loosening in patients at higher than industry-accepted rates.
Zimmer continues to defend its product in both private and the public, but if more evidence piles up, they may not have a choice but to admit that there is a defect with the NexGen CR-Flex. One study that was presented by a former Zimmer consultant to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in March of 2010 asserted that the product was failing in 9% of his patients. In his professional opinion, the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex should not be offered for sale to knee replacement patients.
When a knee replacement patient believes his device may have loosened, he will undergo a procedure called a "bone scan" to determine if his instincts are correct. A bone scan begins with an injection of a harmless amount of radioactive material that travels through the patient's body. After about an hour, the substance will have moved throughout the body illuminating the bone in question. The doctor may then view the bone with special equipment and determine whether or not the person will need revision surgery on the knee replacement device.
While a recall has not been issued, if you have experienced pain, loosening, or required revision surgery on your NexGen CR-Flex knee replacement system, then you may have a valid claim for a Zimmer Lawsuit. The first step in evaluating your potential claim is contacting the Rottenstein Law Group. RLG's attorneys have been in the business of defending clients' rights when they have been harmed by negligent corporations for over 25 years.
