The Risks Associated With Hip Implant Surgery

Hip replacement surgeries carry serious risks. Hip replacement surgeries, like other invasive medical procedures, have become commonplace, and thankfully most persons do not suffer significant adverse complications.

For some hip implant recipients—in particular those persons who have received a Stryker Corporation hip implant device—numerous adverse medical complications have followed hip replacement procedures, to the point that claimants have alleged that manufacturers have designed faulty hip implant systems. Numerous defective metal-on-metal hip implant systems have been recalled after claimants alleged that they caused serious physical injuries, including metal poisoning.

First-time hip replacement surgeries, like other invasive medical procedures, carry risks of infection and other adverse medical complications. When a patient is forced to undergo a second or subsequent hip surgery, the risks associated with a procedure substantially increase. Persons who have received a defective Stryker hip implant should consult with a surgeon or other qualified medical professional to discuss the best course of treatment.

If a medical professional has determined that an individual is in need of a new hip implant, or if an individual has already undergone a hip implant replacement procedure after receiving a defective hip implant, the person should consult with an experienced legal professional regarding a potential claim. The legal professionals at Arnold & Smith, PLLC have extensive experience representing clients who have suffered injuries as the result of a third party’s negligence. If you are suffering from severe complications stemming from a hip implant procedure, contact our law firm as soon as possible to schedule a free initial consultation.

Osteolysis occurs when local inflammation around the hip destroys the bone and loosens the hip implant. This process is also called aseptic loosening and can cause dislocation of the hip. When a hip implant with metal-on-metal parts becomes subject to wear and tear, metal particles can become jammed in the joint spaces, causing the joint to loosen. Debris issuing from the grinding and corroding parts, including metal, cement, or plastic, can cause osteolysis.

Any surgical intervention upon the body of a human being carries a risk of infection or inflammation. After a person receives a hip implant, one’s medical team will likely guard against signs of an infection. Infection is one of the most serious complications a person can face after a joint replacement surgery. If an infection is caught soon enough after a hip implant surgery, a doctor may reopen the surgical site near the hip implant and inject antibiotics directly into the affected area. Infections can arise, however, years after a surgery. When an infection is resistant to antibiotics, a surgeon may recommend replacing a hip implant.

Hip implant surgery can cause one leg to become a different length than the other leg. Sometimes it takes an injured leg an extended period of time after a procedure to build up and match the strength of the other leg. In some cases, surgeons can do little to ameliorate post-implant leg-length variations, and a leg length discrepancy will result in a patient placing more pressure on the affected joint, leading to injuries.

Hip implant surgeries often result in blood clot complications. These gel-like clumps of blood are helpful when it comes to stopping bleeding from a cut or injury, but they can form inside veins, causing a dangerous blockage to the flow of blood. Blood clots can cause weakness, pain, and neurological damage when they occur in the brain. Blood clots can also cause chest pain, lightheadedness, and even death in severe cases. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is one of the most dangerous types of blood clots.

Heterotopic ossification occurs when bone grows outside of a person’s skeleton at a trauma site. This is called “calcification” of soft tissue. Heterotopic ossification is one of the most common complications of hip replacement surgery. Symptoms of hip ossification include erythema, fever, swelling, and joint tenderness. When a person shows signs of complications related to heterotopic ossification, a doctor will likely order a bone scan to confirm the condition, and an affected person may need to undergo local radiation therapy or take an anti-inflammatory medication to help with the problem.

Metal-on-metal implant devices can lead to the development of a condition called metallosis, a dangerous complication that can arise when metal particles from a hip implant flake off into a person’s bloodstream. When metal debris begins building up in the bloodstream or soft tissue, a patient may suffer from metallosis. Symptoms of metallosis include the following:

• Cardiomyopathy;
• Neurological changes;
• Renal dysfunction;
• Depression;
• Personality changes;
• Cognitive impairment;
• Hypersensitivity;
• Thyroid dysfunction;
• Skin rashes.

If you have needed a hip implant revision due to a faulty Stryker hip implant, it is essential that you speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Contact our Charlotte personal injury law firm to schedule your free initial consultation today.