Exactech Recall | Hip Replacement Lawsuit

When undergoing a hip replacement, patients are often told that their new hip implant has the potential to last for many years. Unfortunately, in the summer of 2021, medical device manufacturer Exactech, Inc., recalled the Exactech Connexion GXL acetabular polyethylene liner hip component used in its hip implant systems due to the possibility of premature liner wear. This liner wear could cause the hip implant to degrade earlier than expected. People who develop complications from the premature liner wear of the Connexion GXL acetabular liner may need additional surgeries to repair or replace their hip device or component parts. 

Exactech Connexion GXL acetabular polyethylene hip implant liner recall background 

Exactech’s stated reason for the Connexion GXL acetabular liner recall was that the “risk of edge-loading and premature prosthesis wear” was possible in certain subgroups of patients with specific implant configurations and surgical implant positioning. Total hip replacements involve the implantation of both a femoral and an acetabular component. The acetabular liner, often made of some form of plastic, is inserted into an acetabular cup or shell that is placed in the patient’s hip socket. The acetabular liner is placed between the acetabular cup and a compatible femoral head.  The Connexion GXL acetabular liner is made of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene plastic, and according to Exactech, their acetabular liner manufacturing process results in less surface wear.  But according to the Connexion GXL acetabular liner recall, these acetabular liners may instead fail prematurely.

Exactech recall includes knee and ankle implants

In February 2022, Exactech also recalled several of its knee and ankle replacement device liners/inserts due to concerns that the polyethylene liners may lead to excessive wear, bone loss, and premature device failure that could also require corrective surgery. The recalled knee and ankle device parts are included in the following systems: Optetrak® (knee), Optetrak Logic® (knee), Truliant® (knee), and Vantage® (ankle). 

Learn more about the recall and next steps for impacted patients, as outlined by Exactech. 

Exactech Connexion GXL acetabular hip implant liner health effects

The premature wear of an Exactech Connexion GXL acetabular liner may lead to certain symptoms, including:  

• Pain or swelling in the area of the hip replacement
• Stiffness in the hip joint
• Limited mobility
• Loosening in the hip joint
• Dislocations
• Revision surgeries due to the failure of the hip replacement device

Motley Rice hip replacement litigation experience

Our attorneys have extensive experience litigating for patients who allege they were harmed by defective medical devices. This includes holding multiple leadership positions in litigations filed for hip implant patients, including being on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for both the DePuy ASR multidistrict litigation (In re DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation) and the DePuy Pinnacle multidistrict litigation (In re DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. Pinnacle Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation).

Learn more about our hip implant litigation experience here. 
 

About the Authors

John C. Duane

Senior Counsel

Former federal prosecutor John Duane applies his experience prosecuting criminal matters to his work representing clients harmed by defective medical devices, implants and drugs, as well as a variety of cases related to negligence, defective products and vehicle incidents.

Jonathan D. Orent

Member

Jonathan Orent is a seasoned trial lawyer who advocates for people hurt by medical devices, pharmaceutical drugs, social media addiction and other consumer products.