Zimmer Biomet faces legal action over failed NexGen knee implants

Fletchers Solicitors represents patients in claims alleging the manufacturer knew of problems years before withdrawal

A major manufacturer of knee replacement implants is facing legal action after patients across the UK reported serious failures, leaving many in constant pain and requiring further surgery.

Fletchers Solicitors, a leading firm specialising in product group claims, has sent a letter of notification to Zimmer Biomet on behalf of several clients fitted with the NexGen knee implant. The device was withdrawn from the UK market in 2022 after data revealed higher-than-expected failure rates.

According to the National Joint Registry (NJR), the NexGen Stemmed Option Tibial Components, when paired with either the Legacy Posterior Stabilized (LPS) Flex Option Femoral or the LPS Flex Gender Solutions Femoral (GSF) Option Femoral, had significantly higher revision rates – particularly for aseptic tibial loosening – compared with other total knee replacements.

Following this analysis, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued a recall in December 2022, advising additional follow-ups for affected patients.

However, the claims brought by Fletchers argue that Zimmer Biomet was aware of concerns years before the withdrawal. BBC File on 4 has also reported that issues were first flagged as early as 2014 by the NJR, and by a knee surgeon in 2016 who said his corrective-surgery rates soared after he started using the implant in 2012.

Among those instructing Fletchers are patients who say they have endured years of avoidable suffering. One man, fitted with the implant in 2016, reported constant pain until surgeons discovered in 2025 that part of his joint had completely detached.

Although he received a recall letter in 2023 and was reviewed at Spire, no problems were found at the time. A later review in December 2024 revealed the implant was failing, and he underwent revision surgery in July 2025.

Another woman, who had her implant in 2017, initially dismissed her worsening pain as “normal” before learning that her implant was loosening and she may need revision surgery. A third patient, implanted in 2016 and revised in 2022, says she has been left unable to walk properly, suffering falls and ongoing pain.

Lisa Lunt, Partner at Fletchers and Head of the firm’s Medical Product Liability team, said: “Our clients have endured pain, swelling, instability and implant failure, which in many cases has led to revision surgery after having the NexGen implant fitted. These procedures are often far more complex than the original operation and can cause tissue damage, ongoing pain, reduced mobility and further complications.

“The question for Zimmer Biomet is simple: if concerns were first raised over a decade ago about the viability of the NexGen knee implant, why wasn’t action taken sooner?

“We are in the early stages of our legal investigations, but it is already clear that many people have been significantly affected. Our role is to understand what has happened and to support those seeking answers and accountability.”

Lisa added that while there are never any guarantees about how long an implant will last – with factors such as weight and usage playing a role – patients should be able to rely on the products being used to be of the highest quality.

“Our clients trusted this implant to improve their mobility and quality of life. Instead, many have been left in agony, undergoing revision surgeries or facing the prospect of further operations. We are continuing to investigate the scale of the issue and urge anyone affected by the NexGen implant to come forward.”