Faulty knee replacement part used by the NHS

There has been a delayed response by the NHS regarding the backlash from the use of inadequate and defective knee replacements on patients by surgeons across the UK since as early as 2012.

Knee replacements

A knee replacement has four parts:

  1. The femoral component, which is a curved metal piece that caps the end of the thigh bone.
  2. The tibial component, which is the flat metal platform that sits on top of the shin bone.
  3. The tibial insert, which is a durable plastic piece that locks into the tibial baseplate, acting as a cushion and allowing smooth movement between the femoral and tibial components.
  4. The patellar component, which is a plastic dome that replaces the underside of the kneecap to glide smoothly over the femur.

A history of concern

The concerns focus on the tibial insert, supplied by NextGen, the “stemmed option tibial component” which has been used in the NHS since 2012. The defect involves a vital layer of plastic within the tibial component being missing, and this has subsequently led to it wearing away, causing patients unnecessary pain. Failure rates were cited to have been between an alarming 6%-19% of all patients who had received this type of replacement.

In as early as 2014, experts first raised concerns with the National Joint Registry. However, there was insufficient data to isolate which component was the issue.  Further concerns were raised with the National Joint Registry from 2016 onwards. In 2016 by Professor Masterson, from Ireland, raised concerns directly with US manufacturer Zimmer Biomet but was dismissed.

By 2022, the National Joint Registry estimated that for those patients who had received the NexGen implant, they were nearly twice as likely to need corrective surgery, against the average knee replacement.

In 2022, Zimmer Biomet recalled all the unused implants from the UK.  It is also understood that all 10,000 patients fitted with the faulty implants should now have been recalled and are undergoing reviews by the hospitals that performed the knee replacement.  This has resulted in hundreds of patients requiring revision surgery.

NHS investigation

The NHS are investigating the failings of those concerned. In a statement issued to Ella Pickover, Health Correspondent for PA News Agency, the NHS confirmed that:

“Where issues are identified with any medical device, local NHS teams work swiftly to assess patients and provide replacement treatment where clinically necessary, in accordance with recommendations from the MHRA and device manufacturers.”

There is likely to be a lifelong and irreparable impact on affected patients, and many have had no choice other than to rely upon addictive painkillers, including opiates, and some have been left immobile.

How we can help with faulty knee replacement compensation claims

Our specialist medical negligence team, which has been independently rated as one of the best in the UK, are experienced in dealing with cases involving defective medical products and negligent joint replacement surgery. We work on a fully funded No Win, No Fee basis, and will be happy to provide you with a free consultation.

For expert guidance on making a compensation claim for a faulty knee replacement, contact our free legal helpline. Call us on 0333 888 0412 or email info@medicalaccidentlawyers.co.uk

Faulty knee replacements

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