Case Info
Exactech Knee and Ankle Replacement Insert and Liner Lawsuit
Joint Replacement Products manufacturer Exactech has issued a recall for many of its polyethylene knee inserts and ankle liners due to possible degradation of the polymer construction. Recall information indicates that hundreds of thousands Exactech Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Knee and Ankle Inserts or liners have been implanted since 1994 and may be involved in the recalls.
People who were implanted with an Exactech Knee or Ankle Polyethylene Insert during a joint replacement surgery may be eligible for compensation through an Exactech Knee or Ankle Insert Lawsuit.
Exactech Polyethylene Knee Inserts and Ankle Liners Recall
Exactech, a joint replacement device company manufactures inserts and liners that are intended to be used in joint replacement surgery. The inserts are constructed of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) and are intended to fit between the metal surfaces in artificial knee and ankle replacement joints.
Exactech has issued a recall for thousands of units of their knee and ankle liners and inserts due to potential degradation of the polymer plastic UHMWPE. Degradation of the polyethylene may result in shredding, fracture, or other problems and cause or contribute to knee or ankle device failure.
Exactech’s recall has indicated that the polymer plastic devices were issued in packaging that did not meet company standards. The out-of-specification bags used for packaging did not protect the polyethylene devices from oxygen exposure. Oxygen present in room air may have caused early degradation of the UHMWPE plastic, resulting in possible failure of the devices to function as intended.
Exactech Knee and Ankle Liner Recalled Products
Products included in the Exactech polyethylene joint products recall include:
- OPTETRAK® Unicondylar Tibial Components
- OPTETRAK® All-polyethylene CR Tibial Components
- OPTETRAK® All-polyethylene PS Tibial Components
- OPTETRAK® B-Series Ps Tibial Insert
- OPTETRAK® CC Tibial Inserts
- OPTETRAK® CR Tibial Inserts
- OPTETRAK® CR Slope Tibial Inserts
- OPTETRAK® PS Tibial Inserts
- CUSTOM OPTETRAK® Angled PS Insert
- CUSTOM OPTETRAK® CC Tibial Insert
- OPTETRAK® HI-FLEX® PS Tibial Inserts
- OPTETRAK “MOMB” Non-Mod Molded Insert
- OPTETRAK® RBK PS Tibial Components
- OPTETRAK Logic® CR Tibial Inserts
- OPTETRAK Logic® CR Slope Tibial Inserts
- OPTETRAK Logic® CRC Tibial Inserts
- OPTETRAK Logic® PS Tibial Inserts
- OPTETRAK Logic® PSC Tibial Inserts
- OPTETRAK Logic® CC Tibial Inserts
- TRULIANT® CR Tibial Inserts
- TRULIANT® CR Slope Tibial Inserts
- TRULIANT® CRC Tibial Inserts
- TRULIANT® PS Tibial Inserts
- TRULIANT® PSC Tibial Inserts
- VANTAGE® Fixed-Bearing Liner Ankle Component
In addition to knee and ankle liner recall lawsuits, Exactech may now be facing additional recall lawsuits for some of its hip liner components.
Exactech Polyethylene Knee Inserts and Ankle Liners May Cause Early Failure
Exactech liners and inserts are used with other manufacturer’s joint replacement products. Like other joint devices, Exactech polyethylene inserts and liners were intended to increase or restore mobility for knee and ankle replacement surgeries. Failure of the liners to perform as intended can result in suffering and serious disability.
Symptoms of early joint implant failure may include:
- Pain or inflammation
- Difficulty with moving the joint such as while walking, running, or climbing stairs
- Implant loosening
- Degradation or debris produced by plastic
- Cracking or fracture of components
- Bone loss
- Other issues
In most cases, joint device failure caused by Exactech knee or ankle liners will require joint replacement revision surgery to remove and replace the artificial joint device. In some cases, more than one surgery may be required to repair and reconstruct the injured joint. Each additional surgery places additional risk on the patient.
Exactech Knee and Ankle Liner Recall Lawyers
Exactech has recalled hundreds of thousands of its polyethylene knee and ankle liners and inserts due to potential degradation of the plastic and the threat of potential injury caused by failing devices. Exactech may be currently facing nearly 1,000 knee injury lawsuits in federal and state courts. A federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) has been established in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. A similar state court action is ongoing in Florida.
In some cases of knee or ankle replacement device failure, a lawsuit may be considered to seek compensation for risks and injuries of the device. Past knee and ankle joint replacement lawsuits have provided compensation for medical costs, lost wages, revision surgery, pain and suffering and other damages. Seeking advice from an attorney experienced in medical device injury cases may help determine what your next steps should be.
If you or a loved one were implanted with an Exactech Polyethylene Knee or Ankle Insert or Liner as part of a knee or ankle replacement surgery, you may be eligible for compensation.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation if you have one of the recalled devices.