Please Note: CSS Firm is no longer accepting or investigating new DePuy Attune knee implant claims at this time. This article is for educational purposes only.
The skilled product liability attorneys at Childers, Schlueter & Smith are actively investigating defective knee replacement cases involving the ATTUNE knee implant to support those who are suffering complications from this potentially defective product. Get in touch with a DePuy Attune knee implant lawyer to discuss your case.
The DePuy Synthes ATTUNE knee implant is a trademark of DePuy Orthopaedics. To be clear, our team of lawyers are completely adverse to DePuy and its own separate and distinct interests. At CSS Firm, we seek to protect the welfare of patients with Attune knee replacement injuries and complications. Within this article and through the website, we may also refer to this product in a lowercase type set (e.g. Attune) for ease of reading.
What Is the DePuy Knee Replacement?
Knee replacements are one of the most common orthopedic surgeries performed in the U.S. Roughly 600,000 of these operations are conducted each year, hopefully providing up to 15 years or more of pain-free stability and mobility for many patients. DePuy Synthes (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), is a leading orthopedic designer, manufacturer, and distributor of medical devices and supplies.
In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the DePuy Synthes Attune knee replacement system for patients undergoing knee replacement surgery because it provided increased stability and better range of motion compared to earlier systems. As a result, the product quickly gained traction, becoming one of the most popular knee replacement systems on the market.
Issues With the Attune Implant
It didn’t take long, however, before problems with the Attune Knee implants surfaced. A study published in the June 2017 Journal of Knee Surgery found a high rate of early complications in the Attune Knee Replacement system; and, the FDA has received adverse reports that the DePuy Attune Knee was causing more problems than what is considered normal for knee replacement surgery.
The most common FDA complaints indicated tibial loosening – a serious detachment that caused the bond between the bone and knee component to loosen or even fall apart completely. This created throbbing, relentless pain in implant patients that could not be relieved.
Many implant patients underwent corrective surgical procedures where physicians discovered that the Attune Knee metal tibial insert was surprisingly clean from any bond. The component essentially looked the same as it did when it was implanted during the initial knee replacement surgery. Despite this, DePuy continues to maintain there are no issues and their Attune Knee is performing as expected.
In addition to tibial loosening, a growing number of patients have lodged complaints with the FDA regarding the following component issues with the Attune knee implant:
- Loss of, or failure to bond
- Worn components
- Failure of bone cement
- Device fracture and shedding of metal debris
- Chronic or acute throbbing joint pain during rest and activity
- Change in the components leading to forward or side movement of the knee
- Warmth or swelling in the knee area
- Inflammation and swelling caused by fluid build-up
Our knee replacement failure lawyers are here to help DePuy Synthes Attune system recipients who are experiencing painful, dangerous side effects seek compensation.
What Happens When a Knee Replacement Fails?
The signs of metal knee replacement or plastic knee replacement failure can come on suddenly or slowly, either right after surgery or several years down the road. In many cases, the side effects can make daily activities uncomfortable, difficult, and extremely dangerous in the event of a fall.
If a knee implant system fails, it can cause irreversible, life-altering side effects and damages. In fact, many patients undergo a second (revision) surgery to try and fix the errors, but afterwards are left with more pain and less mobility than they had before the first implant surgery.
The lawyers with Childers, Schlueter & Smith have spoken with many DePuy Attune knee replacement system patients. Those patients, as well as others, have sustained serious injuries and are suffering from the following:
- Excruciating pain
- Decreased range of motion or instability
- Invasive revision surgery
- Extensive rehabilitation
- Permanent bone loss and muscle damage
- Infection and swelling
- Loss of work
- Costly medical bills
- Diminished quality of life
Has the Attune Knee Implant Been Recalled?
According to the Attune knee implant attorneys of Childers, Schlueter & Smith, complaints to the FDA about the Attune Knee Replacement system, as well as lawsuits against DePuy, will continue with the product’s continued failures and adverse side effects. Despite the evidence of complications that we see more and more of each month, DePuy has failed to issue a recall for the Attune Knee replacement system and maintains there is nothing wrong with the Attune knee implants.
DePuy maintains that the Attune Knee is safe, but recently launched a stronger bonding version called the Attune Knee tibial base plate known as the “Attune S+”. But, as our Attune knee replacement attorneys ask, if the original Attune Knee was considered to be trouble-free and safe, why the redesign?
DePuy Synthes History of Recalls
DePuy’s history shows that instances of their lagging recalls and joint product failures are not new. The company has faced complaints and legal battles against its products for years.
Several of DePuy’s orthopedic products have proven to increase the risk of certain side effects and complications in patients, resulting in massive recalls, lawsuits and settlements:
- 2010: DePuy recalled its ASR metal-on-metal hip devices due to high complication rates. In late 2013, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $2.5 billion to resolve the majority of ASR hip lawsuits pending in the United States, settling roughly 8,000 claims.
- 2012 – 2013: DePuy recalled 277 knee implant devices and components indicating that there was a reasonable probability that the products could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
- 2013: DePuy recalled certain components of its Limb Preservations System Knee implant due to reports of loosening, fracturing and premature failure.
- 2015: DePuy initiated a Class II recall of the Articulation Surface component of their Attune knee implants, after many instances where the spring coil would break off and enter the surgical site without the surgeon’s knowledge.
A knowledgeable attorney could provide more information about the Attune knee implant recalls and how they may affect a case.
What Should I do if I have a DePuy Attune Knee? Can I File a Knee Replacement Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one received an Attune knee replacement system and have experienced loosening, pain, or other symptoms, please contact one of our attorneys for a free case evaluation and consultation. Our experienced lawyers will work closely with you to file a knee replacement lawsuit, which can help ensure you receive just compensation for your pain and suffering.
DePuy Synthes should be held accountable for the damage its product is causing trusting patients and their surgeons. In our opinion, earlier warnings could have prevented the implant from being used on more patients, saving them enormous pain and expenses for those who have retained our lawyers for help.
Do I Need to See a Doctor Before Contacting a Knee Implant Attorney?
It’s important to see a doctor soon to find out what type of knee replacement system you received. The exact device and model number will be detailed in your medical records or chart. Even if you cannot figure out your exact model before meeting with a knee implant failure lawyer, you can contact our team for more information and assistance.
Our experienced team will obtain copies of your medical records from your doctor and they will become a form of evidence if a claim is warranted by your specific injuries and complications. We collect all records for our clients and other forms of evidence so they can focus on their treatment, care, and healing process as we focus on fighting for compensation for their injuries.
Talk to a DePuy Attune Knee Implant Attorney Today
If you have questions about your knee replacement do not wait to contact us. We are currently investigating the Attune knee and have lots of information about it already. All initial consults are free of charge and completely confidential. Fill out the form below to send us a confidential message and get your free evaluation with a DePuy Attune knee implant lawyer.
Disclaimer: Our description of your legal rights is not intended to imply that any product is defective per se. That can only be determined through a case-specific investigation and review. DePuy is the registered trademark of DePuy Orthopaedics and of Johnson & Johnson Company. The use of this trademark is solely for product identification and informational purposes. DePuy Orthopaedics and Johnson & Johnson Company or any of its companies are not affiliated with this website. Both companies and their recalled ASR Hip Implant products have no affiliation with Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC. Nothing on this site has been authorized or approved by DePuy Orthopaedics or Johnson & Johnson Company. To be clear, Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC is completely adverse to said companies and the opinions contained herein are those of the Firm alone based on their investigations, client stories and review.
