Is There an Exactech Knee Replacement Lawsuit?

Yes. Exactech recall lawsuits are being pursued for individuals throughout the United States who now face an increased risk of knee replacement failure and complications caused by a defective plastic insert included with over 147,000 Exactech knee implants since 2004.

Exactech lawsuits allege that polyethylene inserts sold with Optetrak, Optetrak Logic and Truliant total knee replacements were packaged in defective vacuum bags, which allow oxygen to diffuse the plastic knee insert during storage or before it is implanted. This greatly increases the risk of future knee replacement problems, including:

• Accelerated Knee Wear
• Debris Production
• Bone Loss
• Cracking, Fracture or Component Fatigue
• Additional Knee Revision Surgery

Financial compensation and Exactech lawsuit settlements may be available for all individuals who received a recalled knee implant, even if you have not yet experienced problems. It is not necessary to know the type of implant was used during your surgery before requesting a free consultation and claim evaluation. Our knee replacement lawyers can help confirm the type of implant used and determine whether you may be eligible for an Exactech knee settlement.

What are average Exactech knee settlement amounts?

Following the 2022 recall, there have not yet been any Exactech knee lawsuit payouts, so average settlement amounts have not been determined. However, prior lawsuits over recalled implants have resulted in knee replacement settlements that ranged between $50,000 and $250,000, depending on the extent of problems caused by the implant. In some cases, substantially larger knee lawsuit payouts have been received for extraordinary injuries, but prior results do not guarantee similar settlements for the Extactech knee replacement lawsuits.

At the time of the Exactech recall announcement, the manufacturer indicated that it intends to provide limited Exactech knee payouts that reimburse for “out-of-pocket” surgical expenses. However, the average Exactech settlement amounts should provide substantially more compensation, including:

• Full coverage for all medical treatment needed now and in the future;
• Lost wages incurred as a result of the Exactech recall or any loss of earning capacity caused by the defective knee replacement;
• Pain, suffering, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of life;
• Punitive damages to punish Exactech for placing profits before consumer safety

Contact our Exactech knee recall lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. by requesting a free consultation and claim evaluation to better understand what settlement benefits may be available.

Are there any costs to hire an Exactech Knee Replacement Lawyer?

There are absolutely no out-of-pocket costs to review your case or hire our Exactech knee replacement attorneys. All claims are investigated and handled on a contingency fee basis for individuals throughout the United States. This means you pay nothing up front to hire our knee replacement lawyers, and we only receive an attorney fee or expenses if an Exactech lawsuit payout is obtained.

Through the use of contingency attorney fees, individuals have access to the experience and resources of our national law firm for their Exactech knee lawsuit settlement – regardless of their individual financial resources.

To get started, call 1-800-522-0102 or request a free Exactech knee lawsuit review online today!

Exactech Knee Replacement Recall Information

On February 7, 2022, an Exactech knee replacement recall notice was sent to orthopedic surgeons throughout the United States, providing information about 147,732 defective and dangerous knee inserts implanted in patients since 2004. The manufacturer also provided a sample recall letter that should be sent to all individuals who may be impacted by the defective implant.

The action has been categorized as a class II medical device recall, meaning that individuals who received a recalled knee replacement face a risk of serious, but medically reversible health problems, often resulting in the need for additional knee surgery. This may leave users with unnecessary medical bills, pain and suffering, and facing an increased risk of knee replacement problems that could have been avoided.

What Recalled Knee Replacements are Part of the Exactech Lawsuit?

After initially recalling a limited number of Exactech knee replacement polyethylene inserts in August 2021, the recall has now been substantially expanded. It now includes Exactech Optetrak knee replacements sold since 2004, Exactech Optetrak Logic knee implants sold since 2009 and Exactech Truliant knee systems sold since 2017, regardless of label or shelf-life remaining.

Exactech Optetrak Knee Recall

The Exactech Optetrak knee was introduced in the United States in 1994. However, after it was on the market for about ten years, changes were made to the manufacturing process for vacuum bags used for polyethylene inserts with Exactech Optetrak knee implants. Therefore, all Exactech knee replacements since 2004 may be impacted by the recall.

At least 60,926 Exactech Optetrak knee implants have been recalled, including:

• Exactech Optetrak CR Tibial Components
• Exactech Optetrak PS Tibial Components
• Exactech Optetrak CR Tibial Inserts
• Exactech Optetrak CR Slope Tibial Inserts
• Exactech Optetrak PS Tibial Inserts
• Exactech Optetrak HI-FLEX PS Tibial Inserts

Exactech Optetrak Logic Knee Recall

In 2009, the Exactech Optetrak Logic knee replacement was introduced, involving a unique surgical technique and knee implant system intended to preserve bone and meet the demands of more active patients.

At least 60,518 recalled Exactech Optetrak Logic knee replacement products contained the same defective plastic insert, including:

• Exactech Optetrak Logic CR Tibial Inserts
• Exactech Optetrak Logic CR Slope Tibial Inserts
• Exactech Optetrak Logic CRC Tibial Inserts
• Exactech Optetrak Logic PS Tibial Inserts
• Exactech Optetrak Logic PSC Tibial Inserts
• Exactech Optetrak Logic CC Tibial Inserts

Exactech Truliant Knee Recall

Exactech Truliant knee implants were introduced in 2017, for use during primary total knee replacements or knee revision surgery.

At least 24,727 Exactech Truliant knee replacements were implanted that are now included in the 2022 recall, including:

• Exactech Truliant CR Tibial Insert
• Exactech Truliant CR Slope Tibial Insert
• Exactech Truliant CRC Tibial Inserts
• Exactech Truliant PS Tibial Inserts
• Exactech Truliant PSC Tibial Inserts

Exactech Ankle Replacement Recall

Similar polyethylene inserts used with recalled Exactech knee implant were included with the Exactech Vantage ankle replacement system, which was introduced in 2016. As of February 2022, at least 1,561 of these defective ankles implanted in the United States have now been recalled, and our lawyers are also investigating Exactech ankle replacement lawsuits.

Exactech Hip Replacement Recall

Separate from the Exactech Optetrak recall, a warning was issued in June 2021 about 89,050 Exactech Connexion GXL liners used since 2017 with Exactech Novation and Acumatch hip replacements.

Just over a year later, an August 2022 Exactech hip implant recall expansion was issued, indicating there are problems with another 40,000 liners, including Acumatch GXL Acetabular Liners, MCS GXL Acetabular Liners, Novation GXL Acetabular Liners, Exactech All Polyethylene Cemented Acetabular Cup, Acumatch Conventional UHMWPE, MCS Conventional UHMWPE and MCS Conventional UHMWPE liners.

This polypropylene hip liner has also been found to wear out prematurely and Exactech hip replacement lawsuits are being pursued nationwide.

What is the problem with Exactech knee implants?

Exactech lawsuits claim that individuals who received a recalled knee implant since 2004 may face an increased risk of experiencing problems with their Exactech Optetrak, Optetrak Logic or Truliant knee replacement, often resulting in the need for revision surgery after experiencing symptoms of knee problems.

A total knee replacement system includes a number of specific components, which all work together to provide an artificial knee replacement:

• Femoral Implant: metal piece that attaches to the thigh bone, known as the femur.
• Tibial Tray: metal piece that fits into the tibia or shin bone.
• Patellar Component: plastic piece that fits onto the knee cap or patella.
• Tibial Polyethylene Insert: plastic insert that fits between the femoral and tibial components to act as a cushion for the artificial knee joint.

The problem with Exactech Optetrak and other recalled knee implants involves the polyethylene insert, which serves a critical function throughout the life of the knee replacement. The plastic knee insert is a “shock absorber” and replaces the function of cartilage in your knee joint. If the plastic insert fails, the knee replacement fails.

Officially known as an Exactech Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) knee insert, the knee replacement liners were packaged in defective vacuum bags that were not sufficiently oxygen resistant. The “out of conformity” polyethylene insert bags did not contain a second barrier layer containing ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), which is intended to protect the knee insert from prematurely degenerating.

Oxygen may reach the Exactech Optetrak plastic inserts during storage or before it is implanted, resulting in oxidation that severely degrades the polyethylene liner. This increase the risk of knee replacement problems much earlier than expected, including:

• Accelerated knee wear
• Debris production
• Bone loss
• Component cracking, fracture or fatigue
• Additional knee revision surgery

What are the symptoms of an Exactech knee failure?

Any new or worsening symptoms with an Exactech Optetrak knee should be immediately reported to your surgeon, who will likely perform an examination and obtain knee x-rays to evaluate the device.

Symptoms of an Exactech knee failure caused by premature wear of the polyethylene insert may include:

• New or worsening knee pain
• Knee swelling
• Pain while walking
• Inability to bear weight
• Knee instability
• Grinding, clicking or other noises from the knee implant

If it is found that you are experiencing problems or an Exactech knee failure, your surgeon may recommend knee revision surgery to remove or replace the components. An alternative to removal of the knee replacement may include surgery to exchange the polyethylene insert, which was packaged in a conforming vacuum bag, which contains the necessary secondary oxygen barrier to prevent deterioration.

Even if you or a loved one have not experienced symptoms, Exactech knee replacement lawsuit settlements may still be available. Although the manufacturer is not currently recommending pre-emptive knee surgery to remove recalled Exactech knee implants that are not painful and continuing to function well, the recalled knee replacement will result in the need for additional medical monitoring and treatment.

Contact your doctor to review any problems you may face, and contact the Exactech knee replacement lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. to make sure your legal rights are protected.

Do You Qualify for an Exactech Knee Lawsuit Settlement Payout?

If you or a loved one underwent a total knee replacement since 2004 that may have involved an Optetrak, Optetrak Logic or Truliant knee implant, financial compensation and settlement benefits may be available through an Exactech lawsuit.

The Exactech knee lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. provide free consultations and case evaluations to help individuals review the legal options that are available. It is not necessary that you know whether a recalled Extactech implant was used in your knee replacement before contacting our law firm.

Call our office toll free at 1-800-522-0102 or complete the form below to request a free case review on-line. The facts and circumstances surrounding your knee replacement will be reviewed, and if it is determined that you may be eligible for a settlement, it remains your decision whether to hire our law firm to pursue your Exactech knee lawsuit.

There are no fees or obligations associated with completing an Exactech knee settlement evaluation!

Contact Our Knee Recall Lawyers To Review an Exactech Optetrak Knee Lawsuit

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