Reports suggest that over 10,000 NHS patients have been provided faulty knee replacements, which may require a secondary surgery. The NexGen Zimmer Biomets are currently the second most used knee implants brand in the UK. It is thought that these implants have a far higher rate of failure than is acceptable. This means that patients have been left with pain and in many of cases requiring further surgery which comes with its own risk. Those patients who have experienced this are able to claim compensation for the suffering which has been caused.
How is Patient Claim Line Helping?
Patient Claim Line have formulated a team medical negligence experts, which is being headed up by Christian Beadell, Head of Group Actions. The specialist team are currently investigating medical negligence claims in relation to the Nexgen range of knee replacements.
What is The Issue With The Knee Replacements?
The National Joint Registry (NJR) disclosed that this medical equipment has an unacceptably high revision rate. This means that there is an increased risk of needing to replace them in the future. Zimmer Biomet, the company which manufactures these knee replacements, has also issued an urgent safety notice for the implants.
The documents published by NJR evaluate the performance of joint replacement surgery on an effort to improve the quality of service provided, facilitate research analysis and improve outcomes for patients.
Knee replacements should last around 15 years, before a replacement is required. However, a study has noted that 17.6% of Nexgen knee replacement patients will need a replacement within 5 years.
Patients who have received a Nexgen knee replacement may require revision surgery. However, this is not without risk and can often be more risky than the primary surgery. Risks include infection loosening of the implant and bone loss.
Symptoms of a knee replacement that requires replacing can include limping, difficulty bearing weight, swelling, or knee instability. If you or someone you know have experienced complications or symptoms similar to this, we encourage you to contact our team for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
Key allegations
Unacceptably high revision rate and replacement of implants
Urgent medical device safety notice issued for these implants
What are the next steps?
If you or someone you know has received one of these affected Nexgen knee implants, the hospital where you received your treatment should contact you with further information. The National Joint Registry has handed hospitals a list of patients affected by this issue. Once contact, all affected patients should receive clinical follow-up and examination.
Have you been impacted?
If you or a loved one has received a Nexgen knee replacement and are suffering with pain, a limited range of motion, swelling, or decreased joint function, please contact our expert team for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Find out if you can claimOur team of experts will support you all the way
Our Group Actions team is led by Christian Beadell and Francesca Paul. They are supported by Sion Wynne, and a dedicated team of talented medical negligence solicitors. The team forms part of a wider medical negligence department, with Peter Rigby at the helm. Our Group Actions team specialises in bringing forward collective clinical negligence claims for defective medical equipment, and have a track record of successfully securing compensation for our clients.
Peter Rigby
Director of Medical Negligence
Christian Beadell
Partner, Head of Strategy and Legal Operations
Francesca Paul
Associate Solicitor
Sion Wynne
Senior Solicitor