**We are no longer accepting Zimmer NexGen Knee claims**

Each year, thousands of patients undergo total knee replacement (TKR) using devices produced by Zimmer, Inc., but now many who have received the products are filing lawsuits against the company. Hoping to relieve pain and achieve greater levels of flexibility and mobility, many of these same patients find themselves in greater pain, experiencing limited mobility, and facing revision surgery.

The Sanders Firm represents those who have been injured by various models within Zimmer’s NexGen line of products. We have been at the forefront of this litigation since the earliest adverse events were reported and have been closely monitoring various model recalls while tracking developments in the ongoing negotiations and the company’s growing settlement fund.

Introducing the Zimmer NexGen Flex line

Knee replacement devices have been used throughout the first half of the 20th century, gaining popularity in the 1970s.  Zimmer introduced its Next Generation (NexGen) Complete Knee Solution system in 1994. This family of products gained FDA clearance in 1995 through a less comprehensive 510(k) process than previously released models due to it being “substantially equivalent” to devices already available on the market. The NexGen Knee Solutions systems were a success and positioned Zimmer competitively in the medical marketplace.

Seeking to further its edge in this market, Zimmer introduced a new line of NexGen “Flex” components in 2001. Some models in the Flex line included a number of innovations, such as cement-less technology and gender-specific design. However, studies comparing the standard and Flex versions of the CR, LPS, and LPS Gender models found that they provided little to no improvement in terms of functionality and range of motion. Plaintiffs represented by the Sanders firm in lawsuits against Zimmer, Inc. contend that they paid a high price for  these “advanced” products with little proven benefit.

Zimmer NexGen components recalled

FDA recalls of the Zimmer NexGen Knee components have been limited to specific models for very specific reasons. There has been no push to remove any model from market entirely. These Zimmer knee recalls are limited to a class 2 recall on Dec. 2, 2010 of the Zimmer NexGen Complete Knee Solution LPS Femoral Component and the Zimmer NexGen Complete Knee Solution LPS Flex Gender Femoral Component for “nonconforming internal CAM radius.” Another class 2 recall was announced on Sept. 13, 2010 with regard to the Nexgen Complete Knee Solution MIS Tibial Components, locking screw and stem extensions due to 114 instances of the devises loosening, requiring the patients to have additional surgery.