subject: Issues With the NexGen CR-Flex Could Lead To Recall [print this page] Issues With the NexGen CR-Flex Could Lead To Recall
There are more knee replacement surgeries performed every year. Currently, there are an estimated 130,000 such surgeries on patients suffering from arthritis or osteoarthritis. These two debilitating conditions result in deterioration of the joint so that simple tasks such as standing up or walking across the room become painful ordeals. The solution for people suffering from these conditions is to undergo knee replacement surgery, which typically involves replacing the end of the thigh bone and shin bone with a device that then serves the same function as a knee joint.
In 2003, the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex was first introduced as a new solution to knee problems. The product purported to give consumers a broader range of motion than ever before. It has now been used on over 150,000 surgeries and makes Zimmer millions of dollars every year in revenue. However, a recent study has had some new information come to light that is causing people to second guess the effectiveness of the NexGen CR-Flex model. The surgeons that conducted the study are now advocating for the product's removal from the market.
While there is no word from Zimmer or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding the possibility of a Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex recall, there is enough noise being made that law firms are investigating potential lawsuits. If they find that the product is actually defective, then there will be a rush of litigation by recipients of the NexGen CR-Flex. Some lawsuits will be based in the assertion that Zimmer did not adequately warn patients of the high risk of failure while others will argue that the product was negligently designed. Either way, there is great potential for recovery by patients who have suffered due to the product's failure.
It is specifically the cementless version of the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex that is leading to these reported problems in patients. Most knee replacement systems are attached to the thigh bone with a cement, but the cementless NexGen product fuses to the bone through natural ingrowth. While excellent in theory, the product seems to be resulting in loosening, which leads to serious pain and difficulty walking. There is more and more evidence that Zimmer will owe compensation to its customers who have experienced the product's failure.
There has yet to be a recall of the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex, but it is never too early to prepare for potential litigation. The attorneys at the Rottenstein Law Group have over 25 years of experience helping clients deal with these very kinds of issues.
