Mr White’s Story – “You trust that what’s being used is safe”

Andrew White is one of several patients represented by Fletchers Solicitors in legal action against Zimmer Biomet, the manufacturer of the NexGen knee implant. The claims allege that the company was aware of issues with the device years before it was withdrawn from the UK market.

Mr White, 72, from Southampton, underwent a NexGen knee replacement at Spire Hospital in 2019 after struggling with severe joint pain.

However, he went on to suffer from persistent discomfort and was eventually referred for further tests. In 2022, he underwent revision surgery at Southampton General Hospital, but despite the procedure, he continues to suffer significant pain.

“My surgeon said the pain could be permanent,” Mr White explained. “Because the revision had to go deeper than the first operation, it’s affected my shin and the pain hasn’t gone away. My mobility is much more limited now – it’s really impacted how I get around day to day.”

He said he was “shocked” to learn that there had been concerns about the NexGen implant and that it had since been withdrawn from use.

“You trust that what’s being used in surgery is safe and properly tested,” he said. “It’s shocking to think that a medical device could be on the market if there were already questions about how well it worked. I worry there are loads of patients out there who don’t even know, who just think the pain they’re feeling is normal and that they’ve just got to live with it.

“Hopefully, speaking out will change that – people will know to talk to their doctors and that there’s help out there.”