More than 50 people have begun legal proceedings after receiving a recalled knee implant, with many claiming the device failed, caused severe pain and forced them to undergo additional surgery.
Medical negligence specialists at Irwin Mitchell said 56 patients have now contacted the firm over the Zimmer NexGen knee system, with 24 claims already filed in the High Court.
The cases relate to patients who were given components from the NexGen Complete Knee Solution range, later recalled after evidence suggested failure rates as much as five times higher than those seen with other knee replacement implants.
For some affected patients, the impact was life-changing, leaving them struggling to move and reliant on powerful pain medication.
Last year, the Daily Mail revealed that the NHS had opened a review after more than 10,000 knee replacement patients were found to have received implants that may have been defective.
The implant, produced by US manufacturer Zimmer Biomet, was eventually recalled eight years after questions were first raised about how dependable it was.
Hundreds of patients went on to require revision surgery after the implant shifted out of position, with each corrective procedure estimated to cost the NHS between £10,000 and £30,000.
Hospitals where the original operations took place should now have contacted all patients fitted with the affected component and brought them back for clinical review.
The Daily Mail told last year how the NHS had launched a review into the matter after 10,000-plus knee replacement patients were fitted with potentially faulty implants
But experts say it is likely that more will need follow-up care as further problems come to light – and the total bill is estimated to cost millions.
Irwin Mitchell is acting for a large number of those affected and has been appointed by the High Court as the lead law firm for the claimants.
This means it has overall responsibility for the litigation on behalf of those bringing claims and will be working with other law firms to pursue the cases.
Tim Annett, a group action medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing affected patients, said: ‘We’re now aware of more than 50 people who believe they’ve been affected after receiving these implants, with a number of cases already progressing through the courts.
‘Many of our clients have had to go through further major surgery after their knee replacements appear to have failed earlier than expected.
‘This has understandably had a huge impact on their day-to-day lives and independence.
‘At the heart of these cases are important questions about whether patients may have been exposed to an increased risk of failure and whether enough was known about how these implants were performing.
‘We’re committed to supporting those affected as they pursue the answers they deserve.
All patients fitted with the problematic part should now have been recalled for a review by the hospital where they had the operation
‘If mistakes have been made, it’s vital that lessons are learned to help prevent others experiencing avoidable suffering in the future.
‘We’re continuing to investigate these concerns and would encourage anyone who believes they may have been affected to come forward.’
Lawyers say the cases centre on a part of the NexGen knee replacement known as the tibial component.
The National Joint Registry alerted the manufacturer in 2015 that some implant combinations were showing higher than expected failure rates.
Further studies and clinical observations then pointed to patterns of early failure in some patients.
Despite this, the implants continued to be used until the recall in December 2022.
After the recall, guidance recommended that patients with the affected implants should be identified and monitored.
Patients claim the issue involves parts of the device moving against each other, which may lead to damage and cause the joint to come loose.
The High Court has imposed a deadline of November 13 for affected patients to join the group litigation.
However, Irwin Mitchell is encouraging those affected to come forward ahead of that date so their potential case can be assessed in advance.
A High Court hearing to set out the next phase of the case is expected to be heard next spring.
Lydia Osborne, 80, from Sawbridgeworth, Herts, was left in ‘relentless pain’ and struggling to walk after issues developed with both of her NexGen knee replacements.
She underwent a total knee replacement on her left knee in March 2016 followed by a right knee replacement the following year to treat her osteoarthritis.
But the mum-of-two and grandma-of-four, who has since had revision surgery, said: ‘I struggled to sleep at night and I was constantly worried my knee would give way beneath me.
‘It made even simple day-to-day things feel like a challenge and left me fearing I could lose my independence altogether.
‘Living with that level of pain and uncertainty has been incredibly difficult.’
Zimmer Biomet previously insisted the ‘vast majority of patients had positive outcomes’ but it had ‘acted swiftly and responsibly by removing the tibial component from the market’ following the concerns.
