Knee joint and ankle issues can be debilitating and prevent people from performing normal daily activities. Once people experience trouble walking or even sitting down, doctors may recommend knee replacement surgery. Knee and ankle implants provide relief by treating joint issues and enhancing mobility. However, many people have filed lawsuits against the manufacturer, Exactech, due to defective knee and ankle implants. Have you suffered injuries due to a defective Exactech knee or ankle replacement? Reach out today to learn more about how an Exactech knee and ankle lawsuit can help you.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals who received Exactech knee and ankle implants. Exactech recalled several models of knee and ankle arthroplasty polyethylene inserts due to the risk of premature degradation requiring revision surgery.
Nearly 800,000 Americans undergo knee replacement surgeries every year to fix joint issues and relieve pain. Knee implants typically consist of metal and plastic materials that form a large piece fitted to the end of the thigh bone and a smaller plate that rests atop the shin bone.
Exactech, based in Florida, introduced its knee replacement implants in 1995 and its ankle replacement implants in 2016. The company has repeatedly received 501(k) approval from the FDA for its knee implant models. This “fast-track” approval does not require manufacturers to prove the safety or effectiveness of their product. Exactech designed the Truliant and Optetrak knee implant models to better fit the femoral component and reduce the rate of revision surgery. Meanwhile, the company intended the Vantage ankle replacement models to mimic the patient’s natural anatomy.
In August 2021, Exactech recalled its knee and ankle replacement implants. The company initiated this recall due to a defect in the vacuum-sealed packaging of its products. Oxygen may enter the packaging, thus oxidizing the polyethylene insert during storage. This oxidation degrades the plastic insert, compromising the knee and ankle replacements before insertion. Countless patients with degraded knee and ankle replacements suffered premature failure of their implants and required early revision surgery.
Exactech updated its recall in February 2022 to include all inserts packaged in the defective bags, regardless of shelf life or labeling. This massive recall applied to nearly 150,000 implants. The affected implants included:
National joint registries in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand have reported that excessive wear of Exactech knee and ankle replacement systems has resulted in a statistically higher overall rate of revision surgery compared to other knee replacement systems. Furthermore, knee and ankle replacement failure rates with Exactech were two times higher compared to other manufacturers.
Exactech yet again expanded its recall in August 2022, but this time the recall extended to its hip liners. The company advised the public that its hip replacement devices were also subject to oxidation in their faulty packaging. This updated recall involved over 40,000 Exactech hip implant systems.
The deteriorated plastic insert caused excessive wear and friction that resulted in more suffering for patients than relief. People with defective Exactech knee and ankle implants may experience:
Surgery to correct joint problems can be an excruciating ordeal, both mentally and physically. Naturally, it is very concerning to discover that you must have revision surgery and revisit all of that anguish following a defective implant. Numerous patients who received Exactech knee and ankle replacements endured this exact scenario. Therefore, individuals are working with Exactech knee and ankle recall lawyers to file claims.
However, Exactech’s efforts to appropriately inform the estimated 150,000 individuals with defective implants have been lackluster. So far, the company has only provided orthopedic surgeons with letters to send to patients. Aside from this, Exactech has done little to notify patients.
Exactech lawsuits allege the company knew about the concerning failure rates of its knee and ankle replacement implants for nearly a decade before finally recalling the implants. The company reportedly allowed surgeons to implant thousands of the defective products without intervening or warning the public about the potential issues.
Exactech knee and ankle recall lawyers filed a motion to consolidate Exactech lawsuits into federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) in June 2022. Multidistrict litigation transfers cases with similar claims to a single federal court to handle lawsuits more efficiently.
In October 2022, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) centralized Exactech knee, ankle, and hip replacement lawsuits into MDL-3044. This MDL applies to not only the defective Exactech knee and ankle liners but also the hazardous hip liners distributed by the company.
As of October 2023, 842 Exactech lawsuits are pending in the MDL.
Exactech has faced legal troubles in the past. In 2010, the company settled a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice for nearly $3 million. The DOJ accused the company of paying surgeons to use its products between 2002 and 2008. Furthermore, in 2020, whistleblowers filed a lawsuit against the company under the False Claims Act. The whistleblower lawsuit alleged that the company distributed defective implants to Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury or required revision surgery due to an Exactech knee or ankle replacement, you may recover compensation for any or all of the following:
If you encountered complications because of a defective implant, reach out to us today to discuss your potential claim with one of our Exactech knee and ankle recall attorneys. Our team of diligent lawyers at The Lake Law Firm wants to help you on your journey to hold negligent companies responsible for the needless damage their faulty products inflicted. Speak with an attorney today about how to begin your Exactech knee and ankle recall lawsuit.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. An Exactech knee and ankle recall lawyer will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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