Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex© Knee Replacement Device?
The Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex© Knee Replacement is an implantable medical device. It was designed and created to use in patients who have had a knee injury or failure such that they have lost the ability to adequately use their knee. The Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex© Knee is a composite design that was designed to offer greater flexion than other knee implants. It was also designed to attach differently to the anchor bones of the leg which was thought would enhance the performance of the knee implant.
What are common Zimmer© Knee Problems?
Signs that your Zimmer© Knee problem may be related to a design defect in the Zimmer© knee itself will depend on the evaluation of your claim and confirmation of the actual implant that was placed in your knee. Common symptoms of Zimmer© knee problems, however, include: loosening of the knee implant, chronic pain, dislocation, grinding noises, inability to extend or flex the knee, and/or instability over the knee while standing or walking.
Do the potential Zimmer© knee problems apply to all Zimmer© Knee Replacement Brands or just the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex© Knee Replacement Device?
Currently, the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex© Knee Replacement device is the only Zimmer© knee replacement device that is currently being investigated for a design or manufacture defect. This does not mean that others who have different types of Zimmer© knee implants may not have claims related to problems with their Zimmer© knee devices. The data that currently exists, however, is focused on the fact that those who have Zimmer© knee problems, and have been implanted with the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex©, may be suffering those problems due to design defect and may be eligible for compensation based on injuries or damages suffered as a result.
How do I know if I have the Zimmer© NexGen CR-Flex© Knee as opposed to some other type of Zimmer© knee replacement or some other brand?
There are numerous types of knee replacement devices, and numerous manufacturers that offer different brands of knee replacement devices. Generally, a surgeon will discuss with the patient what type of implant they are using, or at least discuss the potential applications of different types of knee implant devices and the performance characteristics associated with those devices so that an informed choice can be made on which device to install based on the demands the patient intends to put on the knee. The only sure way to know, however, what kind of knee replacement device was implanted is to view the surgeon’s operative report which will detail the type and brand of knee replacement device which was installed. Our attorneys are experienced at facilitating the transfer of information from hospitals to us which reduces the burden on the client of trying to locate that information. If you believe you had a Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex© knee implant, but are not sure, we can help you get that information from the hospital. Even if you don’t have any idea what type or brand of knee replacement device you had, or if you are sure it wasn’t a Zimmer© knee device, but you are experiencing the same types of symptoms listed above, you are welcome to give us a call to determine if you may have a claim.
Should I report my Zimmer© Knee problems to anyone?
Some individuals like to report any issues with medical devices to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which is responsible for the oversight, testing, and licensing of implantable medical devices, such as the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex© knee replacement devices. Additionally, some individuals report problems to their doctor. When doing so, however, it is important that Zimmer© knee problems be reported to the surgeon who actually installed the medical device, so that the performance of that Zimmer© knee device may be tracked. Often, the manufacturers will keep in contact with the surgeons actually implanting the devices to track any problems that may be associated with their devices. By reporting this to the surgeon who actually implanted the device, the information is more likely to get back to the manufacturer. We do not discourage our clients from reporting defective medical devices to the FDA or the surgeon who implanted the device, as it can often assist in getting a defective product off the market.
We do, however, encourage our prospective clients not to communicate with the manufacturer directly, or to use extreme caution when doing so. When there is a problem with a medical device, manufacturers may be worried about the potential for litigation, and may attempt to offer an injured individual less than their claim is worth to get them to “go away.” Individuals should thus be careful when communicating with a defective device manufacturer when it comes to settling a claim.
Has the Zimmer© NexGen CR-Flex© Knee Replacement Device been recalled?
Currently, there has been no recall issued by the FDA for the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex© Knee implantable device. This does not mean, however, that no claim exists. It also does not mean that it will not be recalled at some point in the future when more evidence of the problems occurring with these Zimmer© knees are brought out.
