Hip Replacement Surgery Errors Due to Medical Malpractice in Oregon

Rights for Patients After Hip Replacement Surgery Errors

While a hip replacement is considered a major surgery, most people have their surgeries successfully completed and go on to have a much better quality of life. A hip replacement is often indicated when a person’s hip joint becomes damaged or worn. This commonly happens with age, but can happen for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, there are times when a person undergoes a hip replacement, hoping for improved quality of life but ends up with significant complications. While complications are sometimes at the fault of no one, there are times when complications could have been avoided had the surgeon and other staff members adhered to standard of care and hospital protocols. When these complications occur and it is found that they could have been avoidable, this is considered negligence. Hip replacement surgery errors are serious problems and could result in catastrophic injuries.

Victims suffering from any type of medical malpractice in Oregon resulting from hip replacement surgery errors.  This includes damages for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other compensation due to the medical malpractice.

Hip Replacement Surgery Explained

A hip replacement surgery entails part of the damaged femur and cartilage in the hip is removed. A metal prosthetic is placed into the femur which is then cemented to keep the prosthetic in place. The goal of this surgery is to help patients to live with less pain and more mobility. 

Indications for Hip Replacement

While hip replacement surgery should not be the first thing that is tried for a person who is experiencing pain and decreased mobility, it is often a very good option for people who suffer from impaired mobility, pain, and decreased quality of life as the result of a damaged and worn hip. Indications for hip replacement include the following:

• Pain experienced, even while at rest
• Other treatment options have failed (i.e. physical therapy, injection therapy, exercise, weight loss, pain medications or anti-inflammatory drugs)
• If the pain and decreased mobility affects a person emotionally
• A hip replacement may be indicated if a person has been diagnosed with osteonecrosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or have been in an accident that fractured the neck of the femur, causing damage to the hip

These are just a few of the many indications for hip replacement surgery.

What Hip Replacement Complications Could be Caused by Medical Malpractice?

While some complications are unavoidable, there are many times when a patient suffers from complications due to medical malpractice. Some of these complications that can be due to medical malpractice include the following:

• Infection
• Metallosis (metal poisoning) 
• Chronic Pain
• A patient suffers from a leg length discrepancy
• The patient receives a hip replacement device that is defective
• Osteolysis
• Hip joint dislocation

How Can Hip Replacement Complications Be Caused By Medical Malpractice?

Reasons as to why hip replacement complications could be caused by medical malpractice include the following: 

• Using a known-defective hip replacement device
• Failing to use sterile technique during the surgery
• Incorrectly performing the surgery
• Failure to identify osteolysis prior to surgery (a direct indication not to perform the surgery)
• Leaving a foreign object inside the patient
• Failure to secure the implant
• Performing the surgery when it isn’t indicated
• Using an improperly sized implant for the patient

Hip Replacement Errors Due to Portland Medical Malpractice in Oregon

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.