Signs of a Botched Hip Replacement: Kingston Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Kingston Medical Malpractice Lawyer Shares the Signs of a Botched Hip Replacement

A hip replacement is a rather involved and difficult procedure.  This is also irreversible and likely to result in significant life-changes for a patient.  The younger that a patient is, the more likely that the changes will be significant in the future.  These changes may also become debilitating in the future which result in significantly more limitations.  As a Kingston medical malpractice lawyer, it is important for patients to know that they may have been the victim of a botched hip replacement and may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.  This includes future injuries and future surgeries are are determined to be medically certain.

During a hip replacement surgery, the part of the femur (top leg bone) and the damaged cartilage of the hip bone (acetabulum) is removed.  A metal stem is inserted into the femur and cemented into place, and a metal socket is inserted into the hip bone.  The two pieces are then brought together and fitted.  The purpose of a hip replacement is to relief significant pain, instability, and further degeneration of the femur and hip.  With a hip replacement, some patients are able to go from wheelchair bound to running in a year.  Other patients may take longer than a year, and most patients will be able to walk again comfortably without assistance.  Some may have worse prognosis and be able to walk only with assistance.  For others the surgery will completely stop pain, but not necessarily help with walking.

Although this is a complicated procedure, surgeons and hospitals are not immune from committing medical malpractice.  Our Kingston medical malpractice lawyer knows that the more difficult the procedure does not mean there is a license to commit serious personal injury.  Patients who are injured due to the malpractice of a surgeon may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.  

Some common signs of medical mistakes indicating a botched hip replacement include the following:

• Failure to get a clean fit (perfect reduction);
• Wrong size implant;
• Failing to remove enough bone;
• Failing to properly secure the implants;
• Having one leg shorter than the other;
• Extreme pain in the leg that lasts much longer than normal;
• Infection, particularly infection inside the leg as opposed to at the incision on the skin;
• The implant failing;
• The need for a revision surgery within weeks of the procedure;
• Foreign objects left inside the patient; and
• Many other reasons.

Doctors and hospitals must be responsible for these types of surgical errors.  But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.