Patients given faulty Nexgen knee replacements made by Zimmer Biomet encouraged to seek legal advice

A BBC File on 4 investigation has revealed that Zimmer Biomet’s NexGen knee implant was known to have a concerning failure rate eight years before its 2022 market withdrawal. Patients experienced severe discomfort, revision surgeries, and even painkiller addiction due to implant instability. The investigation highlights how gaps in oversight allowed these implants to remain in use long after problems were first flagged.

In light of the news that more than 10,000 patients have been given a recalled knee replacement, medical negligence law firm Thompsons Solicitors is urging those affected to come forward.

The Nexgen knee implant, manufactured by US Firm Zimmer Biomet, was recalled in October. The product has been widely used across the NHS since 2003.

The UK-based National Joint Registry, which monitors knee and hip surgeries, has reported that 350 patients who received the implant needed a second operation within ten years due to “aseptic loosening”. One medical study, published on the US National Library of Medicine, has noted a 17.6 per cent failure rate at 5 years post-implantation - which could mean that there are potentially 1760 failures in the 10,000 insertions. The National Joint Registry sets the acceptable failure rate at 3.5 per cent.

Patients who have received faulty knee replacements may have to undergo revision surgery to replace the faulty components. Patients can suffer lifelong consequences from revision surgeries, including ongoing pain, weakness in the joint, instability, and loss of mobility.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has said that it will issue a field safety notice prohibiting use of the implant. MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said: “We are actively working with relevant stakeholders and reviewing all available evidence from a range of sources on the concerns raised on the performance of the NexGen knee implant.”

Linda Millband, lead lawyer for clinical negligence at Thompsons Solicitors, commented: “We would encourage all patients who have had a knee replacement using Zimmer’s Nexgen implant to contact Thompsons as you may have a claim for compensation.

“We have huge experience dealing with high-profile medical negligence cases that involve both NHS and private patients. Our firm has been able to secure compensation for thousands of patients who have been victims of medical negligence and malpractice.”