DePuy Synthes Addressed the Failed DePuy Knee Due to Infections

DePuy Knee Lawsuit News

Problems with debonding and infections that require revision surgery are the leading reasons DePuy knee patients consult with knee replacement attorneys

Monday, October 29, 2018 - The reason such a high percentage of DePuy knees fail is due to loosening when the device becomes unglued. Glue is mixed in the operating room by physicians and used to form a mechanical bond between the tibia and the metal DePuy tibial baseplate. The glue is intended to interlock the bone with the device on a microscopic level. DePuy has admitted that "knee implants are known to fail at the cement-bone interface or at the cement-implant interface." Improperly mixing the cement can lead to the artificial knee device failing to adhere to the bone and also can cause infections.

DePuy Synthes has come to terms with the unacceptably high rate (5%) of DePuy knee replacement patients that require revision surgery due to debonding. DePuy has confirmed that a majority of these problems initiate with the glue failing to bond due to infections developing. The company also states that 5% of DePuy artificial knees fail within 2 years. The procedure for treating knee replacement infection is complex and dangerous and requires a completely new temporary device to be implanted for a period of time called a Knee Articulating Spacer Mold.

According to OrthoSpineNews, treating a DePuy knee infection and repairing the artificial knee joint is a two-step process. "First the primary knee implant is removed and replaced with a temporary antibiotic knee spacer. When the infection has cleared, the patient then undergoes a second surgery to replace the knee, known as a revision procedure." These knee spacers can be required for up to six months or as long as it takes for the infection to clear during which time the patient can be bed-ridden or forced to walk with the aid of crutches or a walker. (1) Bone deterioration can also occur as a result of the painful mechanical wearing of the unglued device on the bone. Surgeons that have removed the original DePuy knee comment that they are surprised that they can simply hand-remove the device as it has become completely debonded from the tibia and femur. Artificial knee debonding due and infection is the leading causes of DePuy knee replacement failure and is excruciatingly painful.

Rather than replace the original knee, surgeons are being encouraged to purchase and use a completely new knee called the DePuy Revision knee replacement device. According to DePuy Synthes, the new device "is designed to enable surgeons to manage a broad range of complex primary and revision knee procedures. The system is designed to address bone defects, provide stability, provide enhanced fixation options, and deliver an efficient technique."

Sources:

(1) http://www.orthospinenews.com/2018/10/16/depuy-synthes-announces-agreement-with-ortho-development-corporation-to-promote-its-kasm-knee-articulating-spacer-mold/

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