Product Liability Lawyer Blog

October 17, 2015

Hip Surgery for Psoriatic Arthritis Patients

A recent article from Medscape Multispecialty discusses how new studies show patients who suffer from psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or cutaneous psoriasis (PsC) do not have increased risk factors following total hip replacement, as compared to patients who suffer from osteoarthritis (OA).

Essentially, osteoarthritis is the far more common form of hip arthritis for patients who undergo a total hip replacement operation. This operation is also known as a hip arthroscopy, which is the medical term for a complete joint reconstruction or replacement. Continue reading

October 15, 2015

Risks Associated with Double Knee Replacement Surgery

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Recently, double knee replacement procedure has been an increasingly common procedure in hospitals throughout the United States. According to a recent article from Wall Street Journal, many people who suffer from osteoarthritis tend to put up with the condition until it gets to a point were it is unbearable and eventually decided to get a total knee replacement.

In the typical case, both knees are stricken with osteoarthritis to the point where they both need to be replaced. This normally involved having the more painful knee replaced, and then going back later for a second operation. A double knee replacement surgery, or bilateral knee replacement, as it is technically called, offers a quicker and more cost effective alternative to having successive traditional knee replacement, but this procedure, while new, has already managed to attract a good deal of controversy. The reason for the controversy is because some evidence suggests the risks may outweigh the potential benefits. Those who perform the surgery say one of the main benefits is that it does away with the need for a second hospital stay. This reduces the amount of time spent under general anesthesia, which is always a risk, and it also reduces the risk of developing an infection following surgery. No matter how clean a hospital may be, post surgical infection is always a risk. Another one of the claimed benefits is that it reduces the need for a second complete recovery period. Recovery is a painful and emotionally difficult time for many patients, and not having to do it twice is a benefit. Continue reading

October 13, 2015

Xarelto, Pradaxa, and Eliquis Working to Edge Warfarin out of Market

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Xarelto, Pradaxa, and Eliquis are three of four New Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) that are all fighting with each other and the makers of Warfarin (Coumadin) to become the market leader for medications used for the prevention of serious blood clotting disorders in patients who suffer from a medical condition known as atrial fibrillation (Afib). Afib patients have an irregular heartbeat that can cause large blood clots to form deep within the veins of the legs. These clots can break free of the veins in which they form and travel through the circulatory system to the lungs, where they can cause a deadly tear known as a pulmonary embolism (PE).

As described in a recent industry feature from FiercePharma, in order to prevent these clots from forming, doctors will typically prescribe an oral medication. For many years the gold standard was Warfarin (Coumadin), and this medicine is actually a blood thinner. While it is every effective in treating Afib patients, it is not the most convenient for patients, and there are some risks. If the dose of medication is off, the patient may suffer a serious internal bleeding condition. However, the patient can monitor his or her diet closely, as certain foods affect the rate of Coumadin absorption, and he or she can have regular blood tests to make sure the dosage is correct. Continue reading

October 10, 2015

Risks Involved in Testosterone Replacement Therapy

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A recent article in the Herald-Review features a question and answer series between readers and a doctor who works with the media outlet. The main question asked in the latest issue involved the risks of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). The reader who asks the question is a 62-year-old man who is currently receiving testosterone replacement injections on a weekly basis.

The man said he has blood tests performed more than twice a year and, each time, all of his blood work comes back normal. He said he has no noticeable side effects from the testosterone hormone injections, but his temper is much shorter than it has ever been before. He said his doctor told him he is on Arimidex to lower his estrogen levels, and that testosterone injections are not harmful to him in terms of dangerous side effects. This reader said he wants another opinion, because he is fearful that TRT may cause a stroke. Continue reading

October 7, 2015

Endocrinologists’ Association Responds to FDA Testosterone Theory

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

According to a recent news article from Medscape Multispecialty, the American Associate of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) has just issued a position statement on the use testosterone replacement therapy. This is in direct response to United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning about how testosterone replacement therapy can have serious cardiovascular effects on patients.

AACE is agreement with FDA that more safety and efficacy trials are needed with respect to hormone replacement therapy. The association also has concerns with how studies in the past have been performed. Specifically, they are concerned that studies have not been sufficiently randomized and controlled to accurately determine causality between testosterone replacement therapy use and increased risks for cardiovascular disease. Continue reading

October 2, 2015

A Look at Recent Study Data on Transvaginal Mesh Complications

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Stress Urinary Incontinence is a disease that causes pain, discomfort, and embarrassment to thousands of women in the United States each year. There are a variety of things than can lead to this condition, including childbirth, being overweight, and aging. The pelvic muscles become weak and urethral sphincter no longer functions properly. When this happens, the patient will often urinate without warning whenever there is pressure applied to the abdomen. This pressure can cause by sneezing, coughing, lifting, running, or a multitude of other normal everyday activities.

Doctors have some non-surgical methods to treat stress urinary incontinence, but they are generally not effective, and surgery is normally the option of choice. Surgery involves implanting a sling that holds surgical mesh in a manner that supports the urethra. It is important the mesh, which is actually a form of surgical tape, is tension free, so that is the reason the sling is used, rather than attaching the mesh directly to the area in need of support. Continue reading

September 30, 2015

Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Had Two Hip Replacement Surgeries in a Six-Week Span

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

There has been a lot of coverage about injuries and medical treatments on the roster of the Dallas Cowboys. The team suffered two significant losses to injury when wide receiver Dez Bryant broke his foot and quarterback Tony Romo broke his clavicle (collarbone). The team is left with downfield problems and Bradon Weeden as the quarterback. While New England Patriots fans might not care too much, this is obviously not a position any preseason Super Bowl hopeful wanted to find itself in.

In addition to the players on the roster, long-time Cowboys owner, Jerry Brown also underwent some significant medical procedures right before the season started. According to a recent report from NBC Sports, Jones had two hips replaced in a six-week period this summer. Continue reading

September 25, 2015

Warning on Savaysa Is Hurting Sales

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

For several years, Pradaxa, Elliquis, and Xarelto have had the market cornered on sales of New Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) as treatment for patients who suffer from a serious medical condition known as atrial fibrillation (Afib). NOACs are an entirely new class of drugs designed to replace conventional blood thinners, such as Coumadin (Warfarin).

However, Daiichi Sankyo has recently entered the market with its own NOAC product under the name Savaysa. The company has high hopes for Savaysa sales, given that it recently lost its patent for Benicar, according to a recent news article from Fierce Pharma. Benicar, which will soon be available as a generic, is responsible for around 27 percent of Daiichi sales, so this loss will hurt. The company is hoping to make up for that loss with sales of their new drug, Savaysa, but they are running into some stumbling blocks. Continue reading

September 20, 2015

Massachusetts-Based 3D Printed Knee Replacement Used for First Time on Patients

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Three dimensional, or 3D, printing is much more impressive than most people realized when they first heard of the process. A 3D printer can function in one of two main ways. In one type of 3D printer, the printer takes a computer rendered image and then cuts out a design from a block of material, usually made out of some type of polymer. This design works similar to high priced C&C routers and is known as a destructive construction process. The reason it is called a destructive process is because, much a like a sculptor working with a block of marble, material is chipped away until the intended design is formed.

The really impressive form of 3D printing involves a process where the print heads create the item through emitting layer after layer of material until the design is complete. Not only can these designs be completely customized one at a time, because no construction run is required, they can also create interlocking pieces at the same time. For example, a 3D printer can print a series of interlocking rings without the need for any break in the metal or joint to link the rings, since they were constructed that way. Continue reading

September 15, 2015

Eliquis Sales Linked to Company Future

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

New Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) are big money for drug companies and marketing partners pushing four different medications currently on the market. One of the four drugs is Eliquis, manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), and, according to recent article from Forbes, the drugmaker has a lot riding on Eliquis sales.

Specifically, Forbes estimates that around a quarter of BMS’s total value is directly tied to Eliquis. In other words, the future of Eliquis can make or break the economic viability of the company. Continue reading