Zimmer Biomet NexGen is conducting a voluntary recall of knee replacement devices due to clinically and statistically significantly higher overall revision rates being required for patients who received these devices.

A study conducted by David Keogh, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Professor Eric Masterson in 2022 found that between 2013 and 2016 the device had all caused revision rate of 17.6% at a minimum of five years. Therefore the device has a higher than average revision rate.

Typical problems occur due to debonding between the impact cement inter face. Where this has occurred, it can lead to a variety of difficulties for patients to include painful joints, swelling, difficulty walking, nerve damage, infections, discrepancy in limb length and bone fracture or loss. Patients can experience premature failure of the device and in essence suffer a wasted opportunity as they require surgery earlier for revision.

Patients who received the device have started to receive letters from their hospital requesting they re-attend for assessment to identify whether or not they are a candidate for early revision surgery. Patients affected by the recall may be entitled to bring a claim for compensation.