Exactech has issued a recall for over 147,000 of its knee implant products and components since 2004. Such products are creating serious health and safety risks for knee implant patients all across the country. Affected Exactech knee products include:

• Exactech Optetrak Knee Replacement
• Exactech Optetrak Logic Knee Implant
• Exactech Truliant Knee Replacement

As a Class II medical device recall, this means that those impacted by the defective knee implants can face serious and often reversible health problems. These problems may require additional knee surgery, also known as revision surgery. Revision surgery in itself could also present health risks.

It can be extremely disheartening to find out that the medical implant that was supposed to heal you instead caused you even more injury. At Osborne & Francis, we have proven experience in holding large medical device corporations like Exactech liable for their negligence. Contact us at (561) 293-2600 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. We understand what you are going through, and are here to help you recover the losses caused by your injuries.

If you or a loved one have been affected by an Exactech knee replacement product, you may have questions about your legal rights. Read on to learn more about what you can do.

What Are the Potential Problems Caused by the Recalled Knee Implant?

The main problem associated with the recalled Exactech knee implants is the potential for early wear of the components. Many Exactech knee implant parts were packaged in defective vacuum bags. These bags allowed oxygen to get into the parts and diffuse into them during storage and before they were implanted. This created accelerated oxidation, which can prematurely weaken the implant component once inside the body.

• Accelerated degradation of the entire implant structure
• Increased production and accumulation of debris
• Bone loss and wear
• Severe pain in the joint area
• Loss of movement and restricted range of motion
• Clicking, grinding, or other odd noises in the knee
• Various other conditions leading to revision surgery 

Certain Exactech knee implant products have been shown to have a failure rate 3-7 times greater than other similar knee replacement implant brands.

What Are Average Exactech Knee Settlement Amounts?

Legal claims associated with the Exactech knee implant recall are still in progress, and settlement data is not fully finalized. Settlement amounts can depend on many factors, including the seriousness of the injuries, whether additional surgeries were performed, and even the experience of the attorney handling the lawsuit.  

The financial assistance from a knee implant settlement is intended to provide the patient with a better quality of life. It can cover:

• Present and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity caused by the knee injuries
• Pain and suffering costs
• Punitive damages intended to punish the manufacturer for placing profits before safety 

What Are My Legal Options?

Exactech listed a hotline on their website where patients can contact them about defective knee implant products. While this may provide additional information regarding the implants, there is no guarantee that they will compensate you or assist you financially for the injuries their products have caused.

A more efficient, direct approach is to get in touch with a defective medical device lawyer who can assist you in filing a lawsuit. Legal action is the most focused way to ensure that you are fully compensated for the pain, suffering, and permanent life adjustments that Exactech’s violations may have caused.

What Is Knee Implant Revision Surgery?

Revision surgery is an additional surgical procedure that is aimed at correcting a defect found in a medical implant. It is also called “corrective surgery” or “corrective revision surgery.” In the case of defective Exactech knee implants, revision surgery typically involves removing the defective components that were weakened due to oxidation.

The problem with revision surgery is that it in itself can present additional risks for the patient. It can be an entire ordeal for the patient stretching over several months or even years.

What Risks Does Knee Implant Revision Surgery Present?

Knee implant revisions surgery can present two main risks:

• The revision procedure creates additional injuries on top of the original one
• The revision procedure is unsuccessful, leading to another revision surgery, and potentially creating an ongoing loop of additional surgeries

Both of these situations can happen to the same person with an Exactech knee implant. For example, the patient might experience both a new medical condition and an ongoing loop of revision surgeries.

A cycle of repeated surgeries like this can be excruciatingly painful, emotionally draining, and financially costly for the patient.  

Some patients who have received Exactech knee implants have had 3 or 4 revision surgeries. At this point, the implant has caused way more problems than it is solving, and a lawsuit may be required. If you or a loved one are in this situation, contact Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600 for a no-cost consultation about your case.

What Allegations Are Involved in Exactech Implant Recall Lawsuits?  

Legal action being brought against Exactech for the defective knee implant problems are highlighting several allegations against the manufacturer. Such lawsuits assert that Exactech:

• Was aware of the defects with their knee implant components and products well before the recall announcement, yet failed to thoroughly investigate the cause of the failures;
• Failed to warn both patients and surgeons about the oxidation and resulting wear and degradation of the implant parts;
• Negligently concealed important information from regulators and consumers;
• Continued to sell defective knee replacement products; and
• Placed profits above the safety of the general public. 

A lawsuit not only provides recompense for the individually affected patients—it also alerts the broader medical community to existing dangers that might surface elsewhere in other products or applications.

Should I Hire a Lawyer for Help With an Exactech Implant Recall Lawsuit?

When selecting a lawyer to handle your knee implant case, it’s crucial to seek one who has the proper experience and resources for your exact type of legal issue. At Osborne & Francis, our team has proven results in bringing legal claims against large corporations such as Exactech. We utilize the full spectrum of our resources and will pursue your claim until justice is fully served under the law.

For help with your case, contact our team at (561) 293-2600 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Our aim is to ensure that injured patients are justly compensated for the pain and losses that such products have caused, and that future injuries are prevented for consumers.