What You Need to Know About the Attune Knee System
The Attune knee system is one of the most popular knee implants on the market with thousands of patients receiving it since it was approved in 2010. Unfortunately, reports are showing that the device may break, disbond, loosen, or otherwise malfunction and fail within 24 months of implantation. Patients who received the knee only to have it removed months later are seeking compensation through a Depuy Attune knee implant lawsuit for the damages they suffered.
Unusually High Failure Rates Reported
Though the Attune knee is commonly used in knee replacement surgeries, the device has been reported to have an unusually high rate of failures and malfunctions. In fact, more than 500 reports of complications, malfunctions, and adverse events have been reported to the FDA’s MAUDE database, including reports of patients having to undergo one or more unplanned surgeries because of device complications.
Other complications listed in these reports include, broken components and cracked parts, bone fracturing around the implant, muscle and nerve damage, infection within the joint, device loosening, and loss of the cement bond between bone and device.
The most concerning issue is that these complications can arise any time after implantation, and some were reported in as little as two years, despite the fact that most knee implant devices last for 12 to 15 years or more.
Researchers Dig into Disbonding Issues
Researchers started looking into the high-rate of failures, malfunctions, and revision surgeries associated with the Attune knee and found that degradation or fracture of the cement bond between the leg bone and the device baseplate may be the problem. To conduct the study, orthopedic surgeons examined Attune knee implants that had failed prematurely in 15 patients. The surgeons found that in each case, disbonding occurred between the device and the tibia.
A second study that was published in the Journal of Arthroplasty suggests that loosening issues could be caused by the disbonding of high viscosity cement. Study authors also recommend that cement disbonding be considered when patients complain of pain and but do not have infection.
Patients Are Seeking Justice
Lawsuits are being filed on behalf of patients who received the Attune Knee System and then suffered injury, malfunction, or premature failure forcing them to undergo additional surgery. Plaintiffs in these cases are questioning when DePuy knew or should have known about the malfunctions and premature failures and why the company failed to inform the medical community and patients. Patients allege that DePuy designed a defective device that is dangerous, not effective, and increases the risk of patient injury and they are holding the manufacturer accountable for the injuries they suffered and the losses they sustained because of those injuries.
Our attorneys have a long history of fighting for the rights of our clients and ensuring they receive the maximum compensation available for damages. If you were implanted with the Attune knee, contact us today to learn more about your rights, how we help, and whether you are eligible to seek compensation for damages.
