Product Liability Lawyer Blog
Hip replacement is known to be a risky surgery, which can cause serious complications for patients, including fatality. The hip replacement process is one of the most invasive surgeries and is often performed on the elderly who have weaker structures and immune systems. Despite the high risk of surgery, many patients will continue to pursue the treatment, either to improve their quality of life, or out of necessity. Fortunately, for those pursuing hip replacement, new studies show that the number of deaths has been cut in half due to improvements in surgical procedures.
Despite improvements in the surgical process, many victims will continue to suffer because of defective hip implants. Our Massachusetts defective hip implant attorneys are dedicated to helping victims and their families protect their rights. We aggressively pursue legal action against medical device companies that have been responsible for the injuries caused by defective hip implants. Our legal team is also committed to staying abreast of the mired of issues related to hip replacement surgery.
Recent studies indicate that the number of deaths related to hip replacement has been halved since 2003. Doctors and medical safety experts believe that the risks of surgery have been reduced as a result of treatments that stop blood clots and use spinal anesthetic. The number of deaths may also have been affected because more patients who are getting hip replacement surgery are younger and generally more active.
Doctors see the trend as an improvement which reflects upon the quality of post-operative treatment and care. The study, which took place in England and Wales, assessed data from the National Joint Registry. The researchers identified over 400,000 patients who had undergone hip replacement surgery. During the 8-year period of the study, 1,743 patients died within 90 days of the operation. In 2011, there were 60,727 surgeries and 164 deaths. The doctors identified this as a decline in mortality from .56 to .29 percent. Some factors created a higher risk for patients, including liver disease, heart disease and diabetes. Doctors were also surprised to learn that overweight patients were less likely to die within 90 days of surgery that those with a normal BMI.
Researchers see this as a positive sign for future hip replacements; however there are always risks associated with any surgery. These risks increase with a surgery as invasive as a hip replacement. If you are considering hip replacement, remember that the risks may extend beyond the operating room. Many patients of hip replacement surgery will also suffer complications with their hip implants which could also require revision surgery, which exponentially increases the risk of complications.
Hip implants do not come with a warranty and could create serious health risks. Defective hip implants and other medical device have caused serious injury and wrongful death to patients. Our firm has experience in investigating these cases and claims and in providing legal support and advocacy to victims and their families. If you have already had hip replacement surgery, you may also be at risk years or even decades after the surgery. Younger recipients of hip replacement may face complications in their old age.
If you are the victim of a defective medical device in Massachusetts, call Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential appointment — (617) 777-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Oregon Implant Malpractice Case Heads to Court, Product Liability Lawyer Blog, September 14, 2013.
Hip Implants for Younger Patients Means More “Revision” Surgeries, October 7, 2013, Boston Products Liabiility Lawyer Blog