Exactech Recall: Investigating Knee and Ankle Replacement Injury Claims

The Lyon Firm is investigating the recently expanded Exactech recall on behalf of ankle and knee replacement recipients nationwide. Our medical device attorneys are actively involved in a wide variety of product recall cases, and offer free and confidential consultations. Contact us for medical device defect litigation updates.

Exactech has recalled around 140,000 Optetrak, Truliant and Vantage knee and ankle replacements that were implanted in patients in the U.S. since 2004. The recall is due to “out-of-specification, nonconforming vacuum bags” that do not contain a secondary barrier layer containing ethylene vinyl alcohol that augments oxygen resistance.

Thus, Exactech has expanded their August 2021 recall of the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) knee and ankle polyethylene inserts to include all inserts “regardless of label or shelf life.”

The company said that most of the inserts it has manufactured since 2004 can severely degrade the mechanical properties of the medical devices. Exactech says the defect can lead to accelerated wear debris production, bone loss, component fatigue cracking/fracture, and revision surgery.

After “extensive testing,” the company determined that a significantly larger number of ankle and knee replacements manufactured since 2004 required recall. The Exactech recall includes defective Optetrak, Truliant and Vantage models.

Exactech Recall

The recalled Exactech knee and ankle replacements contain a plastic insert packaged in a vacuum bag that allows oxygen to contact the plastic insert, compromising its durability. According to the Exactech recall notice issued in February 2022, the recall involves the following:

• Exactech Optetrak knee implants (over 60,000 sold since 2004)
• Exactech Optetrak Logic knee implants (over 60,000 sold since 2009)
• Exactech Truliant knee implants (over 24,000 sold since 2017)
• Exactech Vantage ankle replacements (over 1,500 sold since 2016)

Patients may experience symptoms like new or worsening pain, inability to bear weight, grinding or other noise, swelling, or instability in their knee or ankle.

Can I File an Exactech Knee Replacement Lawsuit?

The Lyon Firm is currently reviewing injuries related to Exactech knee replacements and ankle implants nationwide. If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective Exactech knee implant or required revision surgery, contact us for a free Exactech Recall case consultation.