Johnson & Johnson Recalls Knee Replacement Device

A Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) subsidiary has recalled a knee replacement device, placing further pressure on the company's orthopedics business. The component can fracture and lead to "loss of function or loss of limb, infection, compromised soft tissue or death," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday, though it did not report any deaths from the product. J&J affiliate DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. warned hospitals and surgeons in January of the issue, informing them that they should immediately cease distributing the product and return unused stock to the company. The device, called the LPS Diaphyseal Sleeve, is used to create a better fit and feel for patients receiving knee replacement with the company's LPS System. The FDA classified the recall as class one, the most serious type designation, used when a product problem could cause serious health consequences or death.