Joint failure is a common issue as people age. For some people, joint issues start earlier in life due to prior injuries or genetic conditions. Advances in medical science have made it possible for those with painful joint issues to undergo surgical procedures to replace their joints.
Hip replacement surgeries allow people to regain lost function and maintain their independence despite the debilitating pain that comes from hip joint failure. A successful hip replacement surgery can provide a patient with years of improved function and reduced pain.
Unfortunately, the devices implanted during a hip replacement operation can potentially fail. When that happens, the patient is at risk of a host of medical complications. Defective hip implants have been an issue for years. They can cause an assortment of debilitating medical complications, including the three common issues noted below.
1. Major infections
When an implanted hip joint replacement fails, the continued use of the affected hip by walking can introduce foreign matter into the person’s bloodstream. The materials used to manufacture the medical device can cause severe inflammation and infections. Hospitalization is often necessary when infections occur due to a failed hip replacement.
2. Revision surgical procedures
A failed hip replacement almost invariably requires another surgery. In fact, patients often have to undergo two separate surgical procedures. First, they likely require an immediate operation to remove the defective implant and allow their body to heal. Then, months later, they must undergo another procedure to install a new implant. Repeated surgeries increase the likelihood of surgical complications and can drastically increase the costs of a hip replacement procedure.
3. Sudden fractures
When the implanted hip replacement device fails, body mechanics may shift to accommodate the pain and loss of mobility that the patient experiences. In some cases, the way that they have to move because of the implant can lead to fractures of the pelvis or femur. Those fractures can lead to weeks of painful recovery and permanent mobility limitations in severe cases.
When a defective medical device is responsible for a patient’s suffering and poor prognosis, they may have grounds for a product defect lawsuit. Reviewing what happened after an implant fails with a skilled legal team can help frustrated patients review their options for seeking compensation for their losses.
