Exactech recalled around 120,000 Optetrak knee implants because they can wear out and fail within just a few years, needing revision surgery.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Exactech Optetrak Knee Implant induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured or needed surgery for a recalled Exactech Optetrak Knee Replacement, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Exactech Optetrak Knee Lawsuits
Exactech is facing a growing number of lawsuits from people who needed revision surgery within just a few years because their Optetrak Knee Replacement failed. These lawsuits accuse Exactech of concealing their knee implants’ “unreasonably dangerous risks, including a risk of early failure.”
Optetrak Lawsuit Filed After Man Needed 2 Revision Surgeries
In March 2022, an Exactech Optetrak Knee Lawsuit was filed by James B., a man from New York City who was implanted with an Optetrak Logic knee replacement in January 2013, and his other knee in October 2015. After years of suffering from “pain, swelling, instability, and bone loss in both knees,” he underwent two revision surgeries in 2019 and 2020.
His lawsuit — any many similar lawsuits — accuse Exactech of putting profits over safety by continuing to aggressively market and sell the Optetrak Logic and other Exactech knee implants, all while concealing the true risks and safety hazards related to these devices.
Exactech Optetrak Knee Recalled for Early Failure Risk
In February 2022, Exactech recalled around 140,000 knee implants and ankle replacements in the U.S. because they can wear out and fail within just a few years. The recall involves:
- Exactech Optetrak knee implants (60,926 sold since 2004)
- Exactech Optetrak Logic knee implants (60,518 sold since 2009)
- Exactech Truliant knee implants (24,727 sold since 2017)
- Exactech Vantage ankle replacements (1,561 sold since 2016)
What is the Problem?
Optetrak knee implants were designed to be used with a plastic insert, also known as a UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) insert.
Unfortunately, the insert was packaged in vacuum-sealed bags that did not effectively prevent oxygen from coming in contact with the plastic insert. This resulted in excessive oxidization before the device was implanted, which could cause the entire knee replacement system to wear out much quicker than usual.
Due to these problems, Exactech issued this warning to surgeons:
“Over time, oxidation can severely degrade the mechanical properties of conventional UHMWPE, which, in conjunction with other surgical factors, can lead to both accelerated wear debris production and bone loss, and/or component fatigue cracking/fracture, all leading to corrective revision surgery.”
Symptoms of Knee Implant Failure
- Knee pain
- Swelling and inflammation
- Instability
- Trouble walking
- Less flexibility
- Bone loss (osteolysis)
- Unable to put weight on the knee
- Abnormal sounds (grinding, clicking etc.)
- Falls
- Revision surgery
Do I have an Exactech Optetrak Knee Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Exactech Optetrak Knee Implant induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured or needed surgery for a recalled Exactech Optetrak Knee Replacement, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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