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Common Causes of Hip Replacement Complications

As total hip replacements become more common, so do complications associated with the procedure. Even leading manufacturers have acknowledged problems related to their own hip implant devices.

 

Chronic pain and impairment of daily function (such as walking, climbing stairs and even standing up from a sitting position) due to severe hip arthritis are the most common reasons for total hip replacement. Unfortunately, these problems – and worse complications – can re-appear following corrective surgery.

 

Your physical condition, activity level and weight all play roles in the longevity of a prosthetic hip, as does the accuracy of implant placement during surgery. The risk of complications also increases as you get older.

 

The most frequent cause of hip replacement failure is dislocation. Your chances of this happening are most likely during the first few weeks after your surgery. If the muscles surrounding your hip are weak or you’re overweight, you’re more prone to dislocation. Your best bet is to avoid strenuous exercise or activities that put stress on your hip in the weeks following your surgery.

 

Blood clots following surgery are also a possibility. Leg pain and redness – often in the calf area – are sure signs you’ll want to follow up with your surgeon. Blog clots that dislodge and travel to your lungs are dangerous and can lead to death. To reduce your chances of blog clots, incorporate leg exercises into your daily routine.

 

Loosening of your implant is relatively common and can occur when you have weak bones due to rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis. Less likely possibilities are infection and breakages of your hip replacement. Infections can be severe because the body is unable to attack bacteria that live on implants. In some cases, removal of the implanted hip is the only way to cure the infection.

 

In March 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics, a division of Johnson & Johnson, announced a high failure rate with its ASR metal-on-metal hip replacement system (the company is in the process of phasing out the device). This failure can cause metal particles to separate from your implant and release into other areas of your body, leading to soft tissue damage, inflammation and even bone loss. The only solution of implant failure is a revision surgery.

 

Similar problems have also been reported with the Zimmer Durom Cup hip replacement component. As a result, sales of the Durom Cup in the United States were suspended.

 

Lawsuits are currently being investigated nationwide related to hip replacement failures for implants manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics and Zimmer. If you’re experiencing pain or new problems following your hip replacement surgery and have an implant from one of these manufacturers, you may be eligible for a settlement.

About the Author

A personal injury and workers’ compensation trial lawyer, Ricky Bagolie is co-founder of Bagolie Friedman, LLC, a personal injury law firm with offices in New Jersey, New York and Florida. Get more of his free tips and insider ideas for protecting your rights after an accident at http://www.bagoliefriedman.com, as well as information about hip replacement lawsuits at http://www.hipreplacementlawsuits.org.