Exactech Knee Replacement Lawsuit

Exactech is a medical device company that primarily creates implants and technology for joint replacements.

The company was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Gainesville, Florida.

Certain Exactech knee replacement implants, along with ankle replacements and hip replacement liners, have been recalled because of packaging errors:

• Defective packaging errors have been found to cause oxidation of polyethylene insert components.
• Oxidation of these polyethylene inserts can lead to their degradation in the body, potentially exposing patients to numerous adverse health effects and calling for the need of corrective revision surgery. 

Exactech Knee Implant Recalls

This recall covers implant products dating back to as early as 2004.

Recalled Exactech knee and ankle implant replacements include:

• Optetrak (released in 1994)
• Optetrak Logic (released in 2009)
• Truliant (released in 2017)
• Vantage (released in 2016)

To find out if your knee replacement is included in the recall, contact your doctor or orthopedic surgeon for detailed medical records.

You can also use the Exactech serial number look-up page if you have access to that information.

Injuries or symptoms related to faulty joint replacements can range from minor to serious, typically progressing in severity over time.

While people with defective knee implants may feel most pain in their affected knee, they can also experience pain, swelling, and instability in other joints.

Patients with faulty knee implants could experience other complications apart from pain and fatigue.

Conditions like arthritis onset by wear-and tear on bones, osteoarthritis, osteolysis, synovitis, and more are possible when dealing with a defective or degrading knee implant device.

Injuries or symptoms associated with faulty knee implant devices include:

• Pain and swelling near implants and joints
• Extreme discomfort near affected joints
• Grinding, clicking, and other foreign noises near an affected joint
• Difficulty when walking, standing up, or lying down
• Instability and soreness

What is Corrective Revision Surgery?

Corrective revision surgery may be necessary in the case an Exactech knee implant needs to be removed.

Revision surgery concerns the removal of a defective knee implant or piece, and replacing it with a structurally sound alternative.

Corrective surgery can be difficult for patients.

To have one surgery completed and end up hurting you is one thing, but to have to undergo corrective revision surgery years later to fix the issue can be extremely hard on one’s body and mind.

As you determine what course of action is right for you in fixing the potential issues with your knee implant, ask an experienced medical professional what exactly corrective revision surgery entails.

What Medical Conditions are Linked to Faulty Exactech Knee Implants?

Defective Exactech knee implants and knee implant components, which can degrade and give way, may also lead to various health conditions and adverse health effects.

The following two (2) health conditions have been linked to faulty Exactech Knee Implants:

1. Synovitis

A correlation between synovitis and polyethylene joint replacements has been found by researchers.

Synovium is the thin membrane lining around joints.

Synovitis, simply put, is tissue inflammation that can cause severe pain areas around joints, and can lead to permanent damage if left untreated.

2. Osteolysis

Osteolysis is a progressive medical condition that causes bone tissue to be destroyed.

Osteolysis is a condition that patients with Exactech implants may be susceptible to if the device degrades, and a federal lawsuit filed against the company in mid-February alleges that a patient suffered from the condition because of their Exactech hip implant. 

Hip, knee and ankle replacements are relatively popular surgeries in the United States.

Certain medical issues like arthritis can cause the degradation of cartilage and cause immense pain.

Doctors will often recommend the insertion of implants or other medical devices to ease pain and help with the structural integrity of the joint.

Why are Joint Replacements Needed?

Joint replacements can be needed for a variety of reasons.

The three (3) most common reasons people may need a joint replacement are:

1. Osteoarthritis

The most common need for joint replacements stem from osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in joints wears down over time, leading to symptoms including bone loss, trouble walking or changing position, and more.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of arthritis that often calls for surgeries like knee replacements, ankle replacements, and total hip replacements.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks its own joint tissue, and in late stages, renders joints inoperable and can affect other parts of the body.

3. Osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis is the disruption of blood flow to joints, often resulting in the death of bone tissue and the collapse of a joint.

Osteonecrosis can lead to arthritis and bone loss.

The Civil Litigation Process is very time-consuming and requires keen attention to detail as well as extensive knowledge of legal jargon.

The process of a civil lawsuit can be overwhelming for those who are already having to deal with coping with complications and trauma from their Exactech knee injury.

With the help of an experienced law firm, you should begin gathering evidence that will support your claim in court.

The amount of compensation that you may be awarded can differ depending on your ability to provide evidence and prove that Exactech is liable for injuries that you have suffered.

You will also need to be able to demonstrate that you attempted to treat your injuries to the best of your ability.

This part of the process is called mitigation. 

Gathering Evidence

Gathering evidence is a crucial step in building a strong case.

Evidence includes any documentation or records pertaining to your defective Exactech implant and your subsequent injuries.

Evidence may include:

• Photos and videos
• Witness statements
• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Incident reports
• Lost wages as a result of the injury and medical care

Contact an attorney who is experienced in personal injury cases to gain personalized insight as to what evidence should be collected in order to build a strong case.

Mitigating Injuries

Mitigation is a critical element to any personal injury claim.

If you wait too long and the statute of limitations of your case expires, you may not be eligible to file a lawsuit or receive any compensation.

Proper steps to mitigation include:

• Receiving an official injury diagnoses
• Seeking medical treatment for injury
• Following your doctor’s orders
• Discussing revision surgery, if you doctor says it is safe and in your best interest
• Doing everything in your power to minimize the extent of your injuries

Mitigation is one of the most important steps in building a strong, honest claim.

Assessing Damages

Assessing Damages is something your lawyer will help you with.

Damages are the total losses incurred as the result of an accident or injury that can be recouped with financial compensation.

Damages can include medical bills, lost wages, permanent health effects, and more.

Joint replacement surgeries are vital medical operations that can drastically improve somebody's life if done correctly.

In the case that you or a loved one suffered injuries because of a defective Exactech knee replacement, contact an attorney as soon as possible.

TorHoerman Law's team of expert personal injury attorneys specialize in faulty medical device litigation.

Let us fight for you!

We have won more than $4 billion in verdicts and negotiated settlements for our clients.

Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis.

This means that you do not owe any amount of payment until you have been justly compensated for your losses.

The road to recovery from personal injuries is tough, but you do not have to go through it alone.

The TorHoerman Law team focuses on fostering a constructive attorney client relationship and will work hard for your case.

Contact us today to find out your legal options and how we can help you.

TorHoerman Law - the law firm you can trust for your Exactech Knee Lawsuit.