DePuy Attune Knee Replacements Fail Due To Adhesion Issues

In September 2017, DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, faced its first lawsuit over the Attune Knee System due to adhesion issues. The system's failure, primarily due to "tibial baseplate failure," prevents proper bonding with the patient's lower leg. A study in the Journal of Knee Surgery highlighted an unusually high early failure rate, with 232 FDA reports and additional hospital data indicating underreporting. Patients experience symptoms like pain and instability, often requiring complex revision surgeries. The exact number of affected implants is unclear, but the failure rate is concerning.

DePuy Attune Knee Replacements Fail due to Adhesion Issues

 

DePuy Faces Lawsuits resulting from Faulty Adhesion of Knee Replacement Technology. In September of 2017, DePuy, a subsidiary of Johnson &Johnson, faced its first lawsuit resulting from the Attune Knee System. The lawsuit follows reports of adhesion problems experienced by patients who have been implanted with the Attune Knee System. The main reason the Attune implants seem to be a failure to bond with the patient’s lower leg, which is technically referred to as “tibial baseplate failure.”

Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery is a procedure commonly performed on patients whose severe osteoarthritis causes them to have trouble with daily activities such as walking or climbing stairs. Over 600,000 knee replacements are performed in the United States each year.

High Rates of Early Failure

A study printed in the Journal of Knee Surgery in the publication’s September 2017 issue indicated that the Attune system’s early failure rate was “unusually high.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had received 232 reports about problems with Attune knee replacements. Hospital databases exhibited other reports of failures with the system. The study also indicated a likelihood of underreporting of complications as the result of radiographs not being able to assess loosening issues adequately.

According to nine orthopedic surgeons who contributed to the study, the substance used to bond the implant to the tibial component of the system was often failing to hold the implant in place. Once the tibial component becomes loose, the whole system becomes destabilized.

Symptoms Experienced by Patients

Patients whose Attune Knee System implants are failing might experience swelling, pain, decreased the range of motion, infection, and instability and loosening. Patients might notice instability in their knee when they stand or attempt to bear weight on their knee.

 Painful Revision Surgery for Knee Replacement Devices

Revision Surgery

When patients’ knee replacement systems fail, the only option for them is to undergo surgery to remove the faulty system and replace it with a new one. Unfortunately, revision surgeries are more complicated than the initial procedure. This is in part because of many patient’s experience bone loss as a result of the device. This second surgery can be more painful dangerous, complex, and expensive than the first surgery, and the patient might also require a great deal of rehabilitation following the procedure.

Surgeons who have performed revision surgeries on recipients of Attune Knee replacements had reported that the implant not to have adhered to the bone at all, and in some instances, the removed implant looked the same as it had when it was initially removed from its packaging.

Determining the Risk

Any medical device will likely have some amount of failure. It is as of yet unclear how many DePuy knee replacement systems have been implanted in patients. Other forms of knee replacements, such as those made from ceramics, sometimes fail too, although at a rate of roughly 1 out of every 10,000. This number is considered low. While the number of failures of Attune systems is unsettling, it is difficult at this time to assess the relative risk of this device as compared to other similar products.

 

HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED BY A DEPUY KNEE IMPLANT DEVICE?

Call Parker Waichman LLP Today for Your Free Case Review

If you have experienced injury as the result of the DePuy Attune Knee Replacement System, you could be eligible to receive compensation. Call Parker Waichman LLP today at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) for a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.

Free Consultation
Parker Waichman LLP
Are you inquiring about a new matter?
Please Describe the Details of Your Inquiry
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
4.8 from 549 Reviews

Client Reviews

Our law firm is ready to represent you in your injury case. We’ve helped many New York residents as well as those needing help nationwide. Contact our team for a free case consultation today.

I would like it known, to those concerned, what a wonderful job Benita Rollis did on my behalf concerning the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund claim. Her skill and compassion made my experience with Parker Waichman one that I will not soon forget. From the very beginning, Benita approached this whole process with the knowledge and logic of a true professional and someone who clearly loves what she does. Every time the VCF threw me a curve ball during this process, Benita knew exactly how to handle it, alleviating all fears. Also, the fact that she made herself so accessible was a major comfort. Parker Waichman is a better law firm because of Benita Rollis. I will most definitely recommend her to all who may be in need of your service. Thank you Benita and thank you Parker Waichman for helping me realize justice and absolutely changing my life as well as restoring my faith in the legal system!
Marc Abramson
5 years ago
Friendly and knowledgeable staff, love that they fight for the little guy! Positive Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism
Cara feiler
4 years ago
I would just like to say that Joanne Stevens and Parker Waichman are doing a great job in handling my case. Very happy with the work being done.
Steve Fisher
6 years ago
Thank you for the great work you did with my case. I am very grateful to the firm. Thanks to Biker Jorge and Melissa
Yohana Silva
8 months ago

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or have been injured by another party in some other way, we are here to stand up for your rights. Our personal injury attorneys have been representing injury victims and their families in Long Island and throughout the nation since the early 1980s.