As the Baby Boomer population ages, knee replacement surgeries are expected to continue to rise. More than 5 million knee replacement procedures were carried out from 2000 through 2010. The number of total knee replacements (TKR) increased by 573% from 1990 to 2010, while the population only increased by 36%. In 2013, TKRs were the third most common surgery in the United States. Knee replacement surgeries: Many of these procedures may result in complications requiring additional revision surgery. 

What is the Exactech lawsuit? 

Exactech is a medical device company that makes orthopedic implants and surgical instruments. The company has been in business for over 25 years and has been profitable every year except for one. In October 2016, Exactech filed a lawsuit against Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries for allegedly infringing on Exactech’s patents for hip replacement products. 

The lawsuit claims that Zimmer Biomet used Exactech’s intellectual property to develop and sell its own hip replacement products without permission. Exactech’s hip implant products are alleged to have been stolen by Zimmer. Zimmer Biomet denies the allegations. 

Exactech is seeking damages and an injunction to prevent Zimmer Biomet from further infringing on its patents. This is not the first time that Exactech has filed a lawsuit against Zimmer Biomet; the two companies have been locked in legal battles since at least 2003.

A Summary of Knee Replacements

Knee replacement surgery is a common orthopedic procedure performed to relieve pain and restore function in a damaged knee. The surgery involves the removal of damaged cartilage and bone from the knee joint and replacing these with artificial components. 

The most common type of knee replacement surgery is total knee replacement, which involves the replacement of both the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). Partial knee replacements, which involve replacing only one or two bones in the knee, are also available. 

The success of knee replacement surgery depends on several factors, including the patient’s age, health, weight, activity level, and extent of damage to the knee joint. In general, patients who are younger and have less extensive damage to their knees are more likely to experience successful results from knee replacement surgery.

What makes the knee replacement necessary?

The leading cause of knee replacement is osteoarthritis. The condition is a type of arthritis that results from wear and tear on the joint. Over time, the cartilage cushions the bones in the joint and wears away, leaving bone to rub against bone. This may result in discomfort, stiffness, and difficulty moving your joints. Knee replacement surgery is an option when other treatments, such as medication and physical therapy, no longer help to relieve pain and improve function.

Exactech lawsuit allegations

If you’ve had a knee replacement, there’s a chance Exactech made your implant. And if it was, there’s an increasing chance that you may need to have it replaced. That’s because the company has issued a voluntary recall of certain models of knee replacements after reports that they may not last as long as they should.

Exactech isn’t the only company to have had issues with its knee replacements; both Stryker and DePuy have recalled models in recent years. But the Exactech recall particularly noteworthy is the number of lawsuits filed against the company. Patients allege that their implants failed prematurely, often necessitating expensive and painful replacement surgery.

The good news is that if you need to replace your Exactech implant, you likely won’t have to pay for it.

Which illnesses or injuries are people suing over?

There has been an increase in lawsuits brought against businesses in recent years. This is significant because people are becoming more aware of their rights and are willing to fight for them. Some of the most common lawsuits are those about injuries or health problems.

One type of injury that people often sue for is a knee replacement that has gone wrong. Recently, there were Exactech recall lawsuits for knee replacements due to a defect that caused them to fail prematurely. As a result, many people have filed lawsuits against the company.

Another type of injury that people often sue for is cancer. There have been many cases in which people have successfully sued manufacturers of products that they believe caused their cancer. For example, there have been lawsuits against tobacco companies and asbestos manufacturers.

Conclusion

Knee implants are supposed to help people with knee pain, but what happens when they malfunction? If a faulty knee implant has harmed you, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical expenses as well as for your pain and suffering. Talk to a personal injury lawyer to learn more about your rights.