Knee implants are recalled because of excess iron

Last updated at 22:26 27 November 2007


Hundreds of patients have received knee implants that are being recalled by their British manufacturers.

The implants may have a shortened lifespan because of an excessive iron content.

At least 275 implants have been put into patients - around 50 in Britain. Maker Smith & Nephew is trying to trace another 300 implants in storage at hospitals or en route to patients in Europe.

Although the iron content is unlikely to cause toxicity problems for patients, tests are being done to see if it will affect the implants' durability.

The recall of TC-PLUS, VKS and RT-PLUS implants was said to be a "precautionary measure".

The firm said it would pick up the bill for any repeat surgery.

A spokesman added: "There have been no reports of patient problems. Patients will be monitored and it may not be necessary to do anything."

In August, it emerged that two patients had their Smith & Nephew hip implants replaced after a labelling error meant they received the wrong size.

The firm, which had sales worth £1.35billion last year, recalled 185 of those implants in the U.S. and Britain.

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