Thousands of artificial knee joints and hips have been improperly sterilized with radiation, rendering them brittle and prone to early breakdown. The defective prostheses were manufactured by two companies, Depuy (a Johnson & Johnson company) and Smith & Nephew.

There have been reports of premature failures of the Johnson and Johnson/Depuy Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene knee and hip prostheses.

The prostheses were made from polyurethane, a dense plastic that rapidly degrades if irradiated in air. Although these harmful effects have been understood for at least forty years, the prosthesis manufacturers sterilized knee and hip implants with gamma radiation.

In an unknown number of cases, these artificial hips and knees will break or loosen. These patients require further surgery, exposing them to significant pain, financial expense, and increased risk of complications.

Smith & Nephew have announced a recall of their Oxinium Genesis II and Oxinium Profix II knee replacement systems. The Smith & Nephew knee in which the femoral component is "macrotextured" has had a high degree of failure due to loosening of the femoral component and requiring a revision surgery.

If you or a family member have had your knee or hip replaced with one of these systems, you may be entitled to a recovery. Please contact the Lowe Law Firm at: (877) 678-3400.

You shouldn't have to bear the burden of corporate neglect and carelessness.