Oxinium Knee Implant Lawyers

In September 2003, Smith & Nephew PLC, a British developer of advanced medical devices, announced a voluntary recall of the cementless versions of its Oxinium Profix II and Genesis II knee implant systems. Oxinium was a new material the company is using to manufacture longer lasting implants.

The recall was prompted by the need for about 30 patients in the U.S. to undergo revision surgery after the implants came loose. It was also likely that many more of the approximately 3,000 patients who had been fitted with the cementless versions of the Oxinium Genesis II and Profix II implants in the U.S. would need to have their implants checked for potential defects.

Smith & Nephew alerted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the problem after it first drew attention in August 2003. The company then recalled the products for safety reasons until it could determine the cause of the problem.

It turns out that due to the lack of adhesion, the knee implants macro textured surface failed to bond to the bone properly. In many such cases, costly and painful revision surgery was/is needed. And in addition to the cost and discomfort involved, revision surgery increases the risk of further joint and muscle damage and infection, and incurs the need for lengthy additional physical rehabilitation.

Knee implant surgery has improved significantly in recent years. In fact, it has become the most popular replacement surgery in the U.S., with between 200,000 and 300,000 procedures performed each year. But the success of a procedure still depends on the training and skill of the physicians performing it, and on the device being implanted.

If you or a loved one has been fitted with a cementless Oxinium Genesis II and Profix II knee implant or is suffering from a faulty or improperly implanted device of any kind, a qualified defective medical device or medical malpractice attorney can apprise you of your legal rights and options.

Please be aware, however, that by law, you may have a limited time to act. Contact a qualified personal injury attorney today.