The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the government agency which is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe, has issued a
warning about a knee implant replacement (MDA/2009/062) that is manufactured by DePuy International.
Knee implant warning
The warning notes that a manufacturing defect on this femoral component has resulted in microscopic cracks which could result in premature fracture of the device. Defective devices could fracture suddenly or, if the cracks propagate over time without fracture, the knee replacements could suffer increased rate of polyethylene wear. Should cracks propagate, they could spread to the bearing surface. Standard view X-rays will not identify failures due to these cracks.
Doctors have been advised to identify all patients who have been fitted with this device, monitor them closely, and if necessary, refer them to an orthopaedic consultant.
Leigh Day and DePuy products
Leigh Day & Co has resolved a number of defective medical device claims, including claims concerning the Hylamer prosthetic hip made by DePuy and the 3M Capital Stem.
The product liability team at law firm Leigh Day & Co has considerable experience in handling claim relating to defective medical devices and faulty products. If you would like to talk to one of our specialist product liability lawyers about a possible claim, please contact
Jill Paterson or
Bozena Michalowska Howells on 020 7650 1311 for a free initial consultation.
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