Smith and Nephew knee implants - TC-PLUS, VKS and RT-PLUS ranges

A British firm has had to recall some of its knee implants after the iron content within them was found to be too high.

Around 275 of the Smith & Nephew knee implants have already been put into patients and the company is trying to trace another 300 which have been supplied to customers mainly in Europe.

It said the iron content was "not expected to pose any toxicity or biocompatibility issues for patients" and that the recall was precautionary.

In August it emerged that two patients had hip implants supplied by the firm replaced after a labelling error meant they were given the wrong size.

Smith & Nephew recalled 185 of those implants in the US and UK after a "packaging error" was identified at a subcontractor.

The latest recall is for knee implants from the TC-PLUS, VKS and RT-PLUS ranges.

A statement said: "Smith & Nephew has been informed by a UK supplier that a limited number of semi-finished knee implant castings have a higher than specified iron content."

The statement said that, of the 300 extra implants being traced, most are expected to be found at distributors and hospitals.

The statement said many other orthopaedic implants contain iron in much greater percentages.

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David Body, a Partner specialising in clinical negligence at law firm Irwin Mitchell commented: "This recall of 575 implants by Smith & Nephew is on a precautionary basis which is to be welcomed but seems likely to involve at least some patients in having painful knee replacement surgery redone. The company needs to create a proper scheme of redress for those patients immediately ''

If you or someone you know has been affected by this recall, contact us for free advice. Fill in our online claims form.