Langdon & Emison is evaluating an increasing number of claims alleging the Zimmer Persona® artificial knee implant loosens prematurely. Loose knee implants can cause patients severe pain, decreased range of motion and mobility, and the need for revision surgery, which can be expensive.
Zimmer unveiled the Persona Knee system at the 2013 annual conference of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, touting it as a “new era in knee replacement.” Yet, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalled the Persona implant in March amid increased complaints of loosening and radiolucent lines, or large gaps between the device and bone, which indicate the implant is loose.
Valuing Profits Over Human Safety
Shortly after Zimmer started selling the Persona knee implant in 2012, it started receiving reports of complications associated with the knee implant. Yet, the company continued to sell the product for three more years until it was finally recalled, placing the importance of profits before human safety.
The Persona device helped drive significant sales growth globally in 2014. According to an Aug. 4, 2014, article in Orthopedic Design & Technology, Zimmer executives touted the Persona’s global success, crediting the device for boosting net sales 3 percent to $4.6 billion in 2013.
A History of Zimmer Medical Device Recalls
The Persona recall is the latest in a series of Zimmer medical device recalls due to early failure. In 2008, Zimmer voluntarily recalled its Durom Cup metal-on-metal hip device, followed by a recall of its NexGen GIS Tibial knee replacement components in 2010. Both recalls resulted in lawsuits that are still pending.
Zimmer started selling both the Persoan and NexGen knee implants without testing the devices in patients beforehand. Zimmer has blamed the defects and early failures of its hip and knee devices on surgeons’ techniques, rather than the devices it manufactures.
Contact Langdon & Emison
Langdon & Emison represents clients nationwide in cases involving defective knee and hip implants. For a free case evaluation or to file a claim involving a defective medical device, contact our firm at 866-931-2115 or click here.