NRS Injury Law is monitoring a class action lawsuit against Exactech, a medical technology company that makes orthopedic implants and surgical instruments for joint replacement and bone restoration. Exactech is currently being sued in multiple federal and state courts for its allegedly defective products, culminating in a class action lawsuit against the company.
Here’s What We Know So Far: 3 Recalls
In February 2022, the medical device company Exactech issued a sweeping recall of its knee and ankle replacement implant systems manufactured after 2004. The recall was expanded in July 2022 to include defective hip and shoulder replacement products. The recall was expanded a second time in March 2024 to include patella (kneecap) implants.
The most widespread products involved are:
- Defective hip devices (Connexion GXL, Novation GXL, AcuMatch GXL, and MCS GXL)
- Knee devices (Optetrak, Optetrak Logic, and Truliant)
- Ankle device (Vantage)
Why the Recall?
The recalls were issued because major defects were discovered in the plastic packaging of the device inserts, which involved the polyethylene insert components breaking down and degrading after as little as a few months of use. Not only has this degradation caused the devices to fail in an increasing number of cases, but there is also concern about what polyethylene degradation within the human body means for the recipient’s health.
As the devices degrade, patients who’ve received the defective implants report pain and discomfort, a decline in mobility, new injuries, as well as a need for often costly revision surgery and replacement implants. Some of the more common symptoms and harms experienced by such patients include:
- Implant loosening
- Bone loss in the region
- Inflammation and joint pain
- Difficulty walking or climbing stairs
- The need for invasive corrective surgery
What You Need to Know
Here’s what Exactech device recipients and their family members and loved ones need to know:
- Patients who received Exactech implants may be eligible for a class action lawsuit
- Hip, knee, and ankle devices installed between 2004 and 2021 are of particular concern
- The defect in the implants appears to stem from missing oxygen barriers in the packaging
- Of heightened concern are the Exactech Connexion GXL, Novation, and Acumatch hip implants
- Exactech filed for bankruptcy in late 2024, which changed, but did not end, the landscape of the class action
- Defective devices can lead to expensive revision surgeries, which may entitle the individual to compensation
- The first bellwether trial in the class action litigation against Exactech is currently set for September 29, 2025
What We Need from You
For those who believe they or someone they know may have been affected by a defective medical product made by Exactech, they should be prepared to provide the following documentation:
- Proof that one has received an Exactech implant product
- Documentation on where and when the patient received the implant
- Evidence of symptoms associated with a defective implant (pain, impaired mobility)
- Medical records of revision surgery to address complications from premature implant degradation
- Additional documents, evidence, materials, medical reports, evaluations, or materials that support the claim
Quoting NRS Injury Law Co-Managing Partner Jerald A. Schneiberg:
- “Our legal team at NRS Injury Law is aware of these matters and is committed to fighting for fair treatment for patients who’ve been harmed by defective medical products. There are time limits to file a claim, and early action can make a significant difference, so if you think you may be eligible for reimbursement, or if you have questions, please get in touch with us.”
Contact Us if You Have Any Questions
NRS Injury Law will closely monitor the legal action pending against Exactech. If this case may affect you, please contact us. For other legal questions and concerns affecting you and your loved ones, please call 855-GOT-HURT or fill out a convenient Online Contact Form.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in, or accessible through this post, without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
