Dangers Associated with Hip Replacement Procedures

Have you suffered complications after recovery from hip replacement surgery?

Although hip replacement surgeries have become hugely popular, there are some risks associated with the procedure. Serious medical errors may amount to medical malpractice if the patient is injured due to the surgery. The following are some things to take into consideration before a medical malpractice claim can be filed.

Reasons For Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement procedures include removing the entire joint and replacing it with an artificial joint. Joint replacements are normally done to treat osteoarthritis, which is a condition where the joint cartilage becomes worn out or broken. Cartilage is the layer that prevents bones from coming into contact with each other in the joints. When the cartilage is worn out, the bones come into contact with each other.

Dangers Associated With Hip Replacement Procedures

Hip replacement procedures are associated with two types of risks: risks that are common to all types of surgeries and risks associated with the procedure itself. Some common hazards associated with all surgeries are strokes occurring during the surgery, breathing problems, post-surgical falls, and post-surgical infections. Hazards associated specifically with hip replacement surgery include the following:

• Unnecessary bleeding during the procedure.
• Blood clots, which may come in the form of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in the leg following a surgery while pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that moves into the lungs.
• Infections in the replaced joint.
• Feebleness or stiffness in the replaced joint.
• Looseness in the replaced joint after some time.
• Wearing out of the replaced joint after some time.
• Allergies along the replaced joint.
• Unnecessary and continuous pain in the replaced joint after the surgery.
• Altered length of the leg.

Providing Evidence of Medical Negligence

A St. Louis medical malpractice attorney will need to acquire all the medical records of the patient associated with the procedure to prove medical negligence by the doctor. The attorney will seek to understand the reason why the surgery was recommended and performed by the doctor. The attorney will also retain a medical expert to review the medical records and provide an opinion on whether medical negligence occurred. It is necessary for the medical expert to provide professional opinion on any evidence of negligence by the doctor before a lawsuit can proceed. An expert medical witness will take into account the following:

• Pre-surgery medical condition.
• Patient complaints.
• Objective medical findings of the doctor.
• Experience of the doctor.
• Medical literature on joint replacement surgeries.
• Explanation of the doctor on the hazards and benefits of the procedure along with known complications associated with the procedure.

With the increasing number of hip replacement procedures being performed, there are instances when injuries may occur due to medical negligence. If you have suffered because of medical negligence by your doctor, contact Zevan and Davidson Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 588-7200 for a free consultation.