WEST PALM BEACH – DePuy is facing a federal lawsuit after a man blamed the company for the failure of a knee replacement system.
Donald Sizemore of Lecanto, Florida, filed the May 31 suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida West Palm Beach Division.
According to the complaint, Sizemore underwent a right total knee replacement surgery at Orthopedic Specialists of Southwest Ohio, where an Attune Knee System was implanted in March 2014. After the device was implanted, he reportedly began experiencing severe discomfort caused by the “loosening of the defective tibial baseplate.”
“A loose artificial knee generally causes pain and wearing away of the bone,” the complaint said. “It can severely restrict a patient’s daily activities.”
In May 2014, Sizemore underwent a revision surgery to remove and replace the defective device at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.
“The success rate of a revision surgery is much lower than that of the initial total knee replacement and the risks and complications are higher, including limitations in range of motion, the ability to walk, and even death,” the complaint said.
The suit alleges that neither Sizemore nor his doctors were aware of the device’s defects. It also alleges that thousands of other knee replacement patients implanted with the device have needed one or more revision surgeries well before the device’s advertised and promoted life expectancy.”
“Defendants continue to market and sell the device, placing their own selfish desire to profit over the health, well-being and safety of knee replacement patients,” the complaint said.
The suit further alleges that Sizemore underwent two additional surgeries to address injuries allegedly caused by the device. He is asking for judgment in excess of $75,000 for medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement and lost wages.