Exactech Hip, Knee, and Ankle Implant Lawsuit
M.Ernat
What products are a part of this lawsuit?
There have been about 185,000 devices recalled by Exactech since 2021. A multidistrict litigation (MDL) was filed on June 14, 2022. In February 2022 Exactech issued an Urgent Medical Device Correction Notice advising surgeons that most of the Exactech knee inserts manufactured from 2004 to 2022, had issues with the packaging components, which allowed a large amount of oxygen to diffuse during storage before it is implanted, and this can lead to a process called oxidation.
Exactech also recalled its total ankle replacement devices manufactured between the years of 2017 and 2022. The same defect which caused oxidization with the knee inserts, causing the plastic to wear out prematurely or to become damaged after it is implanted. Exactech’ s hip replacements were also found to have a similar problem, and about 90,000 of them were recalled in June 2021, and more on August 11, 2022. This expanded the recalled hip devices from 2015 to as early as 2004, totaling nearly 125,000 hip replacements recalled in total.
What devices have been recalled?
Exactech has not directly notified individuals that their products have been recalled, instead they have relied on surgeons to tell their patients whether or not they are impacted by any of the defective devices. Recalled knee and ankle devices include:
- Optetrak: 60,926 units since 2004
- Optetrak Logic: 60,518 units implanted since 2004
- Truliant Knee Replacement: 24,727 units implanted since 2004.
- Vantage Ankle Implants: 1,561 units implanted since 2004.
What Injuries Have Been Reported?
The most common injury is the need for complex revision surgery to remove the failed devices and their components, which often includes extensive recovery time. Injuries noted include tissue damage, osteolysis, permanent bone loss, and other injuries.
This is an emerging tort litigation. As a part of the initial litigation process, discovery will be exchanged and eligibility for involvement with these lawsuits will be refined as expert evaluation is completed.
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