Exactech Lawsuit
- Last Updated: December 10th, 2024
Attorney Jessie Paluch, founder of TruLaw, has over 25 years of experience as a personal injury and mass tort attorney, and previously worked as an international tax attorney at Deloitte. Jessie collaborates with attorneys nationwide — enabling her to share reliable, up-to-date legal information with our readers.
Legally Reviewed
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and legal experts at TruLawsuit Info and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced injury lawyer, Jessie Paluch, you can do so here.
Fact-Checked
TruLawsuit Info does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact our team by using the chat on the bottom of this page. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.
Key Takeaways:
- Exactech, a medical device company, has been the subject of numerous Exactech lawsuit claims due to complications arising from their knee, hip, and ankle implants. Patients have reported serious issues, leading to questions about the safety of these products.
- The company has issued recalls for potentially defective knee and ankle inserts, as well as a type of hip liner due to its potential early wear-out. These defective implants have caused serious injuries, necessitating painful and costly revision surgeries.
- There is currently an ongoing class action Exactech lawsuit in New York. This lawsuit consolidates cases from patients who have experienced complications or had their devices fail prematurely or recalled after surgery.
Exactech Lawsuit
Exactech lawsuits relating to knee, hip and ankle devices have been filed in recent years, causing some to question the safety of these products.
Surgery is extremely important and very invasive, so when something goes wrong, it can have devastating consequences.
Faulty Exactech implants and devices are the subjects of a number of these lawsuits, with patients claiming that they have suffered serious complications as a result.
If you or someone you love has been affected by an Exactech device, it is important to understand your legal rights.
You may be able to file a lawsuit against the company to recover compensation for your injuries.
Table of Contents
Lawsuit Updates
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December 2, 2024 Update:
The Exactech Hip and Knee Replacement lawsuit involves claims that certain Exactech implants were defectively designed, causing premature failure, bone loss, and other complications.
Plaintiffs argue that Exactech failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers of these risks.
In November, 1,806 cases were filed, rising to 1,839 in December with 33 additional claims.
This increase highlights persistent concerns among patients reporting complications linked to Exactech implants.
These complications can lead to severe pain, revision surgeries, and lasting health issues.
If you or someone you love has been affected by an Exactech device, it is important to understand your legal rights.
You may be able to file a lawsuit against the company to recover compensation for your injuries.
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November 12, 2024 Update:
The Exactech Lawsuit is ongoing.
All Exactech lawsuits involving defective knee, hip, and ankle replacement components are now temporarily on hold following the company’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
This pause affects over 2,500 claims linked to a series of recalls Exactech issued in late 2021 and early 2022.
These recalls were triggered after it was discovered that certain implant components had been improperly stored in vacuum-sealed bag.
This improper storage allowed for oxygen exposure that caused premature degradation and failures, often necessitating revision surgeries for affected patients.
Approximately 1,800 of these cases are part of a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) overseen by Judge Nicolas G. Garaufis in New York.
On November 1, Judge Garaufis ordered all proceedings in the MDL to be stayed during the bankruptcy, though new filings will continue to be accepted.
Regular updates on the status of the MDL are anticipated every 90 days.
Exactech’s bankruptcy strategy includes an acquisition by private equity firms, aimed at securing capital for managing litigation costs and potential settlements.
However, specific settlement amounts remain uncertain and will largely depend on the bankruptcy reorganization process and any resulting asset sales.
If you or someone you love has been affected by an Exactech device, it is important to understand your legal rights.
You may be able to file a lawsuit against the company to recover compensation for your injuries.
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November 1, 2024 Update:
The NEC Lawsuit is ongoing.
The NEC Baby Formula Lawsuit is underway, focusing on claims that certain infant formulas led to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature babies.
Plaintiffs assert that baby formula manufacturers did not adequately warn of the NEC risk for preterm infants fed cow’s milk-based formulas, leaving families and healthcare providers unaware of these dangers.
Case filings related to NEC have steadily increased, from 598 cases in October to 624 in November, demonstrating rising awareness among affected families.
NEC, a life-threatening condition that can cause severe inflammation and death of intestinal tissue, poses long-term health risks to infants born prematurely.
Outside the NEC MDL, the third NEC trial in St. Louis recently concluded with a defense verdict, though it still impacts the momentum of NEC lawsuits nationwide.
In a significant earlier case, an STL based law firm secured a $495 million verdict against Abbott Laboratories in July 2024 for damages related to NEC.
If you are the parent or guardian of a child who was born prematurely and/or suffered from NEC, you may be eligible to file a claim in this lawsuit.
If you have any questions about the legal procedure, open our chatbot below for a case evaluation.
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October 28, 2024 Update:
The Exactech multidistrict litigation (MDL) involving defective knee and hip devices has encountered further delays.
U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis has rescheduled the initial bellwether trials, with the Tarloff case now set to commence on September 29, 2025, and the Larson case on November 10, 2025.
These postponements come amid ongoing discovery challenges, with the judge indicating that pretrial preparations will not be completed until January at the earliest.
The parties are expected to address outstanding discovery issues in early January.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that certain Exactech devices were packaged in bags lacking an essential barrier to prevent oxidation, contributing to early wear, device failure, and the need for revision surgeries.
Between 2004 and 2021, Exactech distributed these devices, prompting multiple recalls and hospital notifications to inform patients of potential risks associated with their implants.
In a significant development, Exactech filed for bankruptcy in Delaware, aiming to sell its assets and address approximately 2,600 lawsuits linked to the recalled knee, hip, and shoulder devices.
If you or a loved one suffered complications from an Exactech implant, you may qualify to file an Exactech Implant Recall Lawsuit and seek financial compensation.
Contact TruLaw for a free consultation, or use our chatbot to receive an instant case evaluation and find out if you are eligible.
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October 1, 2024 Update:
The Exactech Implant Recall lawsuit centers on claims that defective hip, knee, and ankle implants manufactured by Exactech were prone to early failure, causing significant harm to patients.
The recall was issued due to faulty polyethylene liners used in the implants, which have reportedly caused severe complications such as pain, swelling, and the need for revision surgeries.
In September, 1,670 cases were filed in the Exactech Implant Recall lawsuit, increasing to 1,770 by October, marking an additional 100 filings.
This increase suggests that more patients are coming forward as they learn about the risks associated with the recalled implants and the potential need for corrective surgery.
Exactech implants were intended to restore mobility, but the defective liners can lead to premature failure, resulting in painful and debilitating consequences.
Many patients have experienced joint instability, bone loss, and infections, necessitating further surgeries to remove or replace the faulty implants.
These complications can severely diminish a patient’s quality of life, requiring extensive medical treatment and extended recovery periods.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries from an Exactech implant device, you may be eligible to file an Exactech Lawsuit and pursue financial compensation.
Contact TruLawsuit Info to see if you qualify for an Exactech lawsuit.
You can also use our chatbot to receive an instant, free case evaluation.
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September 1, 2024 Update:
The Exactech Implant Lawsuit remains active, with case filings increasing from 1,625 in August to 1,670 in September.
Exactech, a manufacturer of joint replacement devices, issued a recall for several of its implants due to defects linked to serious complications, primarily caused by the materials used in the devices.
These defects can result in:
- Premature Wear: The implants may wear out faster than expected, causing pain and mobility issues.
- Bone Loss: Defective implants can lead to osteolysis, where bone tissue is destroyed, weakening the surrounding bones.
- Pain: Patients often experience significant pain, swelling, and inflammation around the joint.
- Revision Surgeries: Many patients require additional surgeries to replace the defective implants, leading to further medical risks and extended recovery periods.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries from an Exactech implant device, you may be eligible to file an Exactech Lawsuit and pursue financial compensation.
Contact TruLawsuit Info to see if you qualify for an Exactech lawsuit.
You can also use our chatbot to receive an instant, free case evaluation.
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August 14, 2024 Update:
August 14, 2024
The Exactech Lawsuit is ongoing.
U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis, overseeing the Exactech multidistrict litigation (MDL), has approved a schedule change that alters the dates for the first two bellwether trials.
This adjustment follows a joint request from both plaintiffs and defendants, influenced by the recall of an Exactech knee component in April 2024.
The Exactech MDL, centralized in the Eastern District of New York, involves over 1,600 lawsuits alleging that Exactech’s knee, hip, and ankle implants were defective, leading to premature failures and necessitating revision surgeries.
The first bellwether trial, originally set for June 2025, was to involve the case of Gayle Tarloff.
However, due to the recall of additional knee components, including the patella component that affected Tarloff, the trial for Geraldine Larson’s case has been rescheduled to take place first in June 2025.
Tarloff’s case is now slated for August 2025.
The litigation against Exactech centers on allegations that defective packaging led to the exposure of plastic components to excessive oxygen before implantation, causing the implants to degrade prematurely.
This degradation reportedly resulted in severe complications, including pain, swelling, bone loss, and the need for revision surgeries.
The ongoing litigation has been fueled by claims that Exactech downplayed the risks and delayed the reporting of adverse events.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries from an Exactech implant device, you may be eligible to file an Exactech Lawsuit and pursue financial compensation.
Contact TruLawsuit Info to see if you qualify for an Exactech lawsuit.
You can also use our chatbot to receive an instant, free case evaluation.
August 1, 2024
The Exactech lawsuit is ongoing.
The Exactech lawsuit involves claims related to the company’s recalled joint implants, including those for knees, hips, and ankles.
Plaintiffs allege that these implants caused premature failure and complications, leading to the need for revision surgeries.
In July, the Exactech Implant Recall lawsuit had 1,580 filings, which increased to 1,625 by August.
These joint implants were recalled due to premature wear and failure, resulting in pain, mobility issues, and the necessity for additional surgeries.
Affected individuals have filed lawsuits against Exactech due to the serious health complications and additional surgeries required.
If you or someone you love has been affected by an Exactech device, it is important to understand your legal rights.
You may be able to file a lawsuit against the company to recover compensation for your injuries.
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July 1, 2024 Update:
The Exactech lawsuit is ongoing.
The Exactech Implant Recall lawsuit involves claims that defective Exactech hip, knee, and ankle implants have caused serious health issues.
This lawsuit seeks to hold Exactech accountable for these complications.
In June, there were 1,540 Exactech Implant Recall lawsuit filings.
By July, this number increased to 1,580.
Defective Exactech implants can cause implant loosening, bone loss, and chronic pain, leading to additional surgeries.
These health impacts have prompted more individuals to join the Exactech Implant Recall lawsuit.
The Exactech Implant Recall lawsuit aims to hold the manufacturer responsible for the harm caused.
Affected individuals should consult an Exactech Implant Recall lawyer to explore their legal options
If you or someone you love has been negatively affected by an Exactech Implant, call today for a free consultation.
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June 3, 2024 Update:
The Exactech lawsuit is ongoing.
The Exactech lawsuit centers on the allegations that certain Exactech knee, hip, and ankle implants were defectively produced, leading to premature failures and severe health issues for patients.
Between May and June, the number of cases filed in the Exactech lawsuit rose by 78, increasing from 1,462 to 1,540.
Patients impacted by the recalled Exactech implants have experienced a variety of adverse effects, such as intense pain, reduced mobility, and the necessity for additional corrective surgeries.
These issues drastically reduce life quality and impose significant medical and financial burdens on the individuals affected.
Patients who have suffered complications from the Exactech knee replacement are encouraged to consult with a lawyer specializing in Exactech lawsuits.
Our experienced Exactech lawyers are prepared to offer advice and representation.
If you or someone you love has been affected by an Exactech device, it is important to understand your legal rights.
You may be able to file a lawsuit against the company to recover compensation for your injuries.
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May 24, 2024 Update:
May 24, 2024
The Exactech lawsuit is currently underway.
Nearly 200,000 Exactech hip, knee, and ankle implants have been recalled due to defects that could potentially lead to device failure and significant injuries.
Patients with these recalled Exactech implants typically suffer from pain and restricted movement.
Exactech faces allegations of utilizing substandard packaging materials that did not protect the implants from premature degradation.
The flaws in Exactech implants may cause accelerated device wear, resulting in the release of particles into the body, which could trigger bone loss and inflammation.
The degradation of Exactech implants is attributed to inadequate packaging that exposes polyethylene liners to oxygen, causing them to wear prematurely.
As these liners deteriorate, they emit small polyethylene particles into the body, leading to inflammation and bone loss, typically manifesting as pain, mobility issues, and the necessity for further surgical intervention.
The ongoing lawsuits seek to make Exactech responsible for distributing defective implants without adequate warnings regarding their durability and safety.
The potential compensation in the Exactech Lawsuit could vary from $50,000 to more than $300,000 per individual, depending on personal circumstances and the overall progression of the litigation.
Patients who have experienced complications are advised to consult with an Exactech attorney to discuss their legal options.
If you or someone close to you has been affected by a faulty Exactech joint replacement device, please contact us today for a free consultation.
Additionally, you can obtain an instant case evaluation by using the chatbot on this page.
May 1, 2024
The Exactech litigation is currently active, with 1,462 lawsuits awaiting consolidation as per the latest data from the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML).
In the last month, 61 new cases have been incorporated into the litigation.
The complaints center on defects in Exactech’s Optetrak, Truliant, and Vantage joint components, which have reportedly caused significant pain and necessitated revision surgeries.
These lawsuits aim to secure compensation for individuals who suffered health issues due to these defective implants, asserting that Exactech was responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of their products.
Plaintiffs argue that Exactech did not perform adequate testing on these devices and failed to sufficiently inform both the medical community and patients about potential risks.
If you or someone close to you has been affected by a faulty Exactech joint replacement device, please contact us today for a free consultation.
Additionally, you can obtain an instant case evaluation by using the chatbot on this page.
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April 1, 2024 Update:
The Exactech Lawsuit continues to unfold, and our attorneys remain open to accepting new clients for this case.
Recent updates from the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) reveal a significant rise in the number of Exactech lawsuits, now totaling 1,401 as of April 1st.
In just the past month, 157 additional cases were incorporated into the multidistrict litigation (MDL), reflecting a growing number of individuals alleging harm due to Exactech’s defective orthopedic implants.
Exactech, known for producing orthopedic implant devices, stands accused in these lawsuits of manufacturing knee, ankle, and hip replacements that may fail prematurely.
Such failures have allegedly caused patients to suffer from intense pain, reduced mobility, and the necessity for corrective surgeries.
If you have received an Exactech implant and are experiencing complications, it is important to consider your legal rights.
Our law firm provides complimentary consultations to individuals impacted by Exactech’s products.
For immediate support and to assess your eligibility for the Exactech Lawsuit, please contact us directly or use the chatbot feature available on this page.
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March 7, 2024 Update:
The Exactech lawsuit is currently underway.
Recent documents from the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) reveal that there are now 1,244 lawsuits concerning Exactech’s hip and knee replacement products awaiting consolidation.
This marks a noticeable increase from the 1,169 cases reported by the JPML in February.
These lawsuits are being grouped together in a process known as multidistrict litigation (MDL), a common legal practice in the U.S. for handling numerous lawsuits that share similar issues.
In this instance, all the lawsuits pertain to concerns over the quality and safety of Exactech’s hip and knee replacement devices.
The core of the Exactech hip and knee replacement lawsuits is the claim of product liability.
Plaintiffs argue that the devices made by Exactech were flawed in design or manufacture, leading to a host of problems such as intense pain, infections, loosening or failure of the device, and the necessity for additional surgeries.
Moreover, the lawsuits allege that the company did not provide sufficient warnings to doctors and patients regarding the risks and potential complications from using their hip and knee replacement products.
Understanding your legal rights is essential for anyone affected by Exactech’s hip or knee replacements.
If you or someone close to you has experienced complications following an Exactech hip or knee replacement, you might be entitled to compensation.
Reach out to us for assistance in securing the compensation you merit.
Additionally, the chatbot on this website can help determine if you qualify for the Exactech lawsuit.
The Exactech Lawsuit is ongoing.
Why are there Exactech lawsuits?
Thousands of people who had Exactech knee and ankle replacements may have been injured by defective inserts and liners or needed further surgery to remove them.
To date, there have been Exactech recalls for several thousand knees and ankle inserts that could be defective, as well as the discontinuation of a type of hip liner due to its potential early wear-out.
A defective Exactech implant can cause serious injuries, requiring painful and expensive revision surgery to fix, hence the increase in lawsuits.
Is there an Exactech knee replacement lawsuit?
No, there isn’t a specific Exactech knee replacement lawsuit.
Rather, there is a lawsuit about general joint replacement surgery, including various cases about Exactech knee implant defects.
In this lawsuit, some patients have alleged that they experienced complications and problems due to their Exactech knee replacement surgery, while others have made claims about their hip or ankle implants.
This lawsuit is currently ongoing, so to learn more about your eligibility, you can use our chatbot below.
Is there a class action lawsuit against Exactech?
Yes, there is a class action Exactech lawsuit in New York.
Out of the 75 Exactech lawsuits filed in federal court, more than one-third take place in the Eastern District of New York, where these lawsuits are being transferred to as of October 2022.
Combining these cases into a class action lawsuit will make it easier for the court to hear and manage them and will likely lead to a more efficient process overall.
Exactech has recalled potentially defective models of their joint inserts and replacements, leading to lawsuits with patients who had already been operated on with these devices.
Patients being impacted by the issue stated that they needed revision surgery either because their devices failed too early or had been recalled post-surgery when it was too late.
In some cases, they allege that poor manufacturing of their Exactech knee, hip and ankle replacements allowed the liners to be exposed to oxygen, which led to them wearing out much faster than anticipated and causing injuries in the process.
Who owns Exactech Inc?
The Exactech CEO is currently Jeffrey R Binder, although the company was founded by Gary Miller, Bill and Betty Petty in 1985.
Their goal was to administer better care to patients with injuries or chronic conditions such as arthritis.
In the present day, Exactech, Inc. is a medical device company that designs, develops, and markets orthopedic implant devices, related surgical instruments, biological materials and services to hospitals and physicians.
Headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, the company has over 1000 employees.
Is Exactech a public company?
No, Exactech has been a privately held company since its merger with TPG Capital.
This means that the company is not publicly traded and does not have to disclose certain information to the public, as a publicly traded company would.
Does Exactech have a good reputation?
Before the lawsuits, Exactech had an excellent reputation.
They were known as a company that cared about its patients and provided high-quality products.
However, in recent years, the company has been involved in lawsuits and recalls of its products, invariably resulting in damage to its reputation.
How do I know if my knee replacement was recalled?
You can do two things to find out if your knee replacement has been recalled.
Firstly, you can check the FDA website, which has a list of all medical devices that have been recalled in a database.
Secondly, you can call your surgeon’s office and ask if they have any information on the device.
However, if the knee replacement recall is urgent, then your surgeon will likely call you.
If your knee replacement has been recalled, it is crucial to seek medical attention as quickly possible, as there may be health risks associated with the device.
In the case of the Exactech implant recall lawsuits, the manufacturers themselves have warned surgeons of the potential problems associated with some of their devices.
Exactech recalled all units of its OPTETRAK Comprehensive Knee System due to safety concerns.
The recall includes any knee or ankle polyethene inserts that were packaged in certain vacuum bags.
On August 11, 2022, Exactech warned surgeons that these bags—which did not meet the necessary specifications and could let oxygen damage device liners—might impact even more devices than what was originally thought.
They also advised that patients with the recalled devices would likely need revision surgery as a result.
Exactech issued a warning in August of 2022, which stated that any surgeons who had implanted Connexion GXL liners at any point since 2004 may have patients who were harmed as a result.
The previous warning only applied to those surgeons that had implanted the said liners between 2015 and 2021.
The FDA classified this action as a class II recall, which means that there is a potential for temporary or reversible health effects from exposure to the product.
However, the probability of serious health consequences is low.
If you have had an Exactech knee replacement system since 2010, it is important to check if your device is impacted by the recall.
If it is, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Find out how you can join the Exactech recall lawsuit by using our chatbot service below.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What's the average settlement for the Exactech recall lawsuit?
Patients with Exactech knee and ankle implants who have been injured by the recalled devices may be wondering how much their case is worth.
And while there is no easy answer when it comes to calculating a settlement, victims of Exactech implant defects can certainly expect to receive compensation thanks to the Exactech lawsuit.
Settlement amounts for the Exactech lawsuit are still in speculation, but lawyers expect the compensation to correlate to the type of Exactech implant the patient received.
That means Exactech knee and ankle implants will have different average settlements.
It’s estimated that lawsuit settlements for defective Exactech knee replacement systems will be between $70,000 and $150,000.
Ankle replacement lawsuit settlement may be slightly higher, from $90,000 to $175,000.
All this is based on previous payouts in other cases involving these kinds of injuries.
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What are the most common joint replacements?
Knee and hip replacements are currently the most common joint replacements, as nearly a million Americans have a knee or hip replacement each year.
Although knee replacement surgery and hip replacement surgery are most prevalent, procedures such as shoulder and ankle surgery are also on the rise.
The number of procedures and materials used to make artificial joints varies, depending on the joint being replaced.
For example, knee and ankle replacements typically use a metal alloy for the artificial joint, while hip replacements may use either a metal or ceramic ball.
In the best cases, patients who undergo joint replacement surgery typically experience pain relief and increased mobility afterwards, helping them to return to their daily activities.
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What is corrective revision surgery?
This type of surgery is performed when a previous surgery did not achieve the desired results or when complications from the original surgery arise.
It can involve correcting bone alignment, implant placement, and soft tissue issues.
Patients who undergo corrective revision surgery often have significant pain and disability prior to the procedure, and the goal of surgery is to relieve these symptoms and improve function.
However, corrective revision surgery is often more complex than the original surgery, and patients may require a longer hospital stay and recovery period.
There is also a higher risk of complications, such as infection.
For these reasons, it is important to consult with an experienced orthopedic surgeon before undergoing any type of revision surgery.
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How does knee replacement surgery work?
Knee replacement surgery is a procedure that involves replacing the damaged or diseased joint surfaces of the knee with new artificial joint surfaces.
In some instances, medical devices called implants are used to replace damaged joint surfaces.
The most common type of knee replacement surgery is total knee replacement.
In this procedure, both the femoral (thigh bone) and tibial (shinbone) surfaces of the knee are replaced with artificial joints.
Partial knee replacement is another type of replacement surgery, but in this procedure, only one of the joint surfaces is replaced rather than both.
Although this surgery can be performed on patients of any age, it is most commonly performed on patients who are 60 years of age or older.
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How does ankle replacement work?
This type of surgery, also called ankle arthroplasty, is a procedure to remove damaged bone and cartilage from the ankle joint and replace it with an artificial joint.
An ankle implant is made of metal and plastic and is intended to restore the function of the ankle joint.
There are two (2) main types of ankle replacement surgery:
- A mobile bearing ankle implant, or
- A fixed bearing ankle implant
Mobile Bearing Ankle Replacement Implants
A mobile-bearing ankle replacement implant system has a plastic or metal tray that is inserted into the ankle bones.
This type of implant allows the ankle to move more freely.
Fixed-Bearing Ankle Replacement Implants
A fixed-bearing ankle replacement has a metal plate that is screwed into the ankle bones.
Ankle arthritis is far less common than knee or hip arthritis, so there are generally fewer ankle surgeries.
Still, the most common type of ankle arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is caused by the wear and tear of the cartilage that cushions the joints.
In many cases, the decision to have this surgery is usually made after other treatments, such as physical therapy, have failed to relieve pain.
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What's the most common problem after ankle replacement surgery?
Problems can arise with any type of surgery, and ankle replacement surgery is no different.
Generally, the most common issue after ankle replacement surgery is the instability of the ankle joint.
This can occur if the ligaments that support the ankle are damaged or if the artificial joint becomes loose.
Patients who have this problem may need to undergo revision surgery to correct it.
Other common problems after surgery include pain, infection, and blood clots.
However, problems resulting from premature wear are usually a result of manufacturing defects and not due to patient error.
This is why many with these types of issues often seek the help of an experienced attorney who can help them recover damages from manufacturers such as Exactech.
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What is hip replacement surgery?
Hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which the hip joint is removed and replaced with an artificial implant.
Hip replacements are usually performed to alleviate pain and lessen the disability caused by arthritis or other conditions that affect the hip joint.
A hip implant consists of a metal ball that replaces the upper end of the thigh bone (femur) and a socket that replaces the cup-shaped hip bone (acetabulum).
The new joint can be made from metal, plastic or ceramic materials.
In most cases, post-hip-surgery patients are able to return to their previous level of activity and pain relief is significant.
However, complications can occur with any surgery, and hip replacement surgery is no exception.
In some cases, the new hip joint may dislocate, break or wear down over time.
Infection and nerve damage are other potential complications.
Because of these risks, patients should consult with their doctor to see if hip replacement surgery is right for them.
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Is there an Exactech hip replacement lawsuit?
No, there isn’t a specific hip replacement lawsuit for manufacturing failures.
However, Exactech is currently being sued for allegedly selling defective hip implants.
As stated earlier, the Exactech lawsuit involves all hip, knee and ankle replacement defects and recalls, not just hip replacements.
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Which Exactech implants have been recalled?
Some of the recalled Exactech implants and components are as follows:
- MCS GXL
- Novation GXL
- MCS Conventional UHMWPE NOVATION Conventional UHMWPE
- OPTETRAK Tibial Inserts
- OPTETRAK Logic Tibial Inserts
- OPTETRAK All-polyethylene Tibial Components
- VANTAGE Fixed-Bearing Liner Component
- Exactech All Polyethylene Cemented Cup Acumatch Conventional UHMWPE
- Acumatch GXL
- TRULIANT Tibial Inserts
The OPTETRAK and OPTETRAK Logic components have been implanted in approximately 60,000 patients in the U.S. since 2004.
The TRULIANT inserts (approx 25,000 units) and VANTAGE Fixed-Bearing Liner Components (1,500 units) are also impacted by the recall.
If you are not sure whether you have received a recalled Exactech knee implant, you should contact your surgeon and check your component’s serial number against Exactech’s provided list.
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What is the most commonly reported problem after knee surgery?
The most common issue after knee surgery is usually stiffness around the knee joint.
Sometimes this is caused by not following the proper post-operative physical therapy protocol and makes it hard to fully extend or flex the knee.
Additionally, some people may experience problems such as knee implant failure, which involves the knee joint not moving as it should or pain in the surrounding tissues.
Although these problems are relatively rare, it is still important to be aware of them, as they have happened in the case of Exactech.
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How long does a total knee replacement last?
Most knee implants are designed to last for about 15 to 20 years.
However, this depends on a number of factors, such as the patient’s age and activity level.
In general, younger and more active patients will likely need to replace their implants sooner than older and sedentary patients.
Additionally, some people may develop complications that cause their knee replacement to fail earlier than expected.
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What does it feel like when a knee replacement is failing?
After undergoing knee surgery, it is not uncommon to feel some discomfort.
This is because the surgery involves cutting through bone, muscle, and tissue.
In most cases, however, the discomfort is temporary and can be managed with medication.
However, in some cases, the knee replacement may fail.
This means that the joint does not function properly, is painful, and may require revision surgery.
When a knee replacement fails, it is often because the implant has come loose, there is an infection or the bone around the implant has broken, causing pain and disability.
If your Exactech knee implant is failing, you might feel the following symptoms:
- Severe pain in the knee, especially when bearing weight
- Stiffness and loss of range of motion in the knee
- Instability or giving way of the knee
- Swelling and inflammation around the knee
- Warmth or redness around the knee.
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How often do knee replacements go wrong?
Knee replacements are typically considered to be successful procedures, with a high rate of patient satisfaction.
Although uncommon, complications can develop in approximately 1 out of 20 cases.
However, most are minor and treated effectively. Some examples of complications include:
Wound Infection
Infections can occur at the incision site or deep within the knee joint after knee surgery.
These are treated with antibiotics, although in some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the infected tissue.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
This is a blood clot that forms in the leg and can be dangerous if it breaks free and travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Deep vein thrombosis is treated with blood thinners.
Special support stockings, exercise, and anticoagulant medicines can also help eliminate post-operative blood clots.
Excess bone and scar tissue
Sometimes, the bone around the implant does not heal properly, or scar tissue forms that limit joint movement.
Further revision surgery may be needed in these cases to restore mobility and function.
Allergic reactions
Some patients experience allergic reactions to the bone cement used with knee replacement devices, which can cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, and low blood pressure.
This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Dislocation
Sometimes the knee replacement device can become dislocated or move out of place.
This is usually treated with physical therapy and exercises to help strengthen the muscles around the joint.
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Is it normal to have pain 2 years after total knee replacement surgery?
Over 40% of patients who have undergone total knee surgery still experience pain a year later.
In some cases, this number increases with time, making chronic knee replacement pain more and more common.
If you received Exactech knee implants, particularly from the Optetrak knee implant system range, you might be compensated.
This is especially true if you have experienced side effects or needed revision surgery because of an Exactech recall.
If this is the case, you will likely be eligible to join the Exactech recall lawsuits.
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With over 25 years of legal experience, Jessie is an Illinois lawyer, a CPA, and a mother of three. She spent the first decade of her career working as an international tax attorney at Deloitte.
In 2009, Jessie co-founded her own law firm with her husband – which has scaled to over 30 employees since its conception.
In 2016, Jessie founded TruLaw, which allows her to collaborate with attorneys and legal experts across the United States on a daily basis. This hypervaluable network of experts is what enables her to share reliable legal information with her readers!
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Tru Lawsuit Info is a reliable source of information about issues that may affect your health and safety, such as faulty products, data breaches, and environmental hazards.
Our team of experienced writers collaborates with medical professionals, lawyers, and advocates to produce informative articles, guides, and other resources that raise awareness of these topics.
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Camp Lejeune's water contamination issue spanned several decades starting in the 1950s. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to various serious health issues, including cancer, organ diseases, and death.
Research is increasingly suggesting a link between the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and ADHD, in infants.
Legal action is being taken against manufacturers of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a chemical used in fighting fires. The plaintiffs allege that exposure to the foam caused health issues such as cancer, organ damage, and birth and fertility issues.
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Here, at Tru Lawsuit Info, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
To do this, we actively work to connect them with attorneys who are experts in litigating cases similar to theirs.
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