Recent reports show that hip replacement surgeries are more and more successful and many patients get a new chance of enjoying life without having to deal with pain while moving or during their daily activities. With every year that goes by, more patients try this type of treatment hoping their life will become as it once was.
Unfortunately, things are not that simple and although things are heading in the right direction, about 10 percent of the total number of hip replacement surgeries require an intervention in the form of a revision surgery. This second surgery will be even more painful for the patient, will require a longer recovery period in order to get full range of motion back and will be more difficult to handle by the surgeon.
Hip replacement surgery, as all surgical procedures, involves certain risks:
- Heart attack;
- Blood clots;
- Excessive bleeding;
- Patient is not responding accordingly to the anesthesia;
- Wound site infection.
Hip Replacement Preparation
Following some simple steps you can make your life a lot easier following a hip replacement surgery. These steps include:
- Gathering information about what this type of surgery implies;
- Someone will have to drive you to and from the hospital to avoid problems;
- Having constant supervision while at home in the first weeks after surgery;
- You need to have all necessities within your reach in order to avoid certain movement that can trouble the newly installed hip.
Hip Replacements Problems
There are several problems that are associated with hip implant surgery. These include:
- Hip dislocation;
- Loss of bone;
- Fracture of surrounding bone;
- Legs not of the same length after surgery;
- Nerve damage causing numbness or weakness;
- Device fracture;
- Hip joint area infection.
The first few weeks after the surgery are very important for you and your body. You will have to get used to the foreign object in your body and use it as it was your own natural hip. After surgery the joint is fragile and will require a recovery period in order to get full range of motion and full strength.
In order to obtain optimal results, patients need to continue physical therapy even after they return home.
Unfortunately, there are numerous things that can go wrong and the patient needs to be aware of the symptoms surrounding a defective hip implant. These include:
- Pain deep in the groin;
- Mechanical sounds while moving;
- Excessive pain while walking;
- Hip dislocation feeling;
- Difficulty when the patient tries to change his stance (when rising to standing from a seated position).
Metal-on-metal implants while they tend to last longer than those made from metal and plastic, they produce tiny metal particles while they rub against each other, situation that can cause local inflammation. Sometimes these particles can also migrate throughout the body using the blood stream and affect the heart, thyroid and nervous system.
Patients suffering from Hip Replacement Surgery may be eligible for Compensation
Patients that have encountered problems during the first few years of using their artificial hip may be eligible to get compensated for the pain, suffering, lost wages and medical expenses. In order to have a better chance of getting the compensation you deserve, you need to seek legal assistance from a specialized attorney with years of experience in dealing with hip replacement lawsuits. He will offer a free review of your case that will allow you to understand better the legal options available for your particular situation.
[box]About the Author: Chris Morris writes for defectivehip.org, covering topics about defective hip implants, faulty medical devices, recalled hip replacement systems, on behalf of Houssiere Durant & Houssiere LLP, a law firm specializing in product liability lawsuits, offering legal representation for patients affected by defective medical devices. Latest news, covering hip implant systems and components recalls, FDA safety announcements, is available at defectivehip.org's news section.[/box]
