Although most people will retain their natural hip throughout their life, there are approximately 120,000 patients in the U.S. each year that need to undergo hip replacement surgery. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the warning signs that your hip might need to be replaced. Unfortunately, not every hip replacement will perform as expected. In fact, several people end up needing to have a defective replacement removed, and this can cause additional complications. Because of this, anyone who receives a hip replacement needs to carefully monitor their healing progress to ensure that everything has gone smoothly.
How do I know if I Need a New Hip?
A trained medical professional is the only person who can conclusively determine whether or not you need a new hip. However, there are several signs that can help you decide when it is time to discuss the situation with your doctor. For example, if you have hip pain that prevents you from sleeping and performing your daily tasks, you might need to have your hip replaced, especially if you have not responded positively to other medical options. Keep in mind that many people are limited from performing one specific task such as running, but you should not move forward with a hip replacement if you are able to do all of your normal daily activities without dealing with a lot of pain.
What Causes Hip Issues?
There are a wide variety of issues that can cause a patient to need a new hip. For example, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and traumatic arthritis are three of the leading causes of hip replacement surgery. Other medical conditions that can result in this surgery include hip fractures, idiopathic osteonecrosis and avascular necrosis.
Dealing with a Botched Hip Replacement
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the perfect cure in the medical world. Because of this, hip replacement surgeries can go wrong, and the new parts that are put inside of your body can break. In fact, approximately 90,000 DePuy hip implants were recalled a few years ago, and this left many people dealing with a long list of complications. There is also an active Stryker hip lawsuit going on. Therefore, if you suddenly begin experiencing a lot of pain in your hip, it is imperative to visit your doctor immediately. Keep in mind that it is normal to feel sore after the initial surgery, but you should regain your typical mobility after the healing process is complete. It is also important to note that a faulty hip replacement can cause you to feel pain in your thigh or buttock, and you will probably have a difficult time lying down and standing up.
Getting medical assistance to help you regain your mobility should be a top priority if you believe that you received a faulty hip replacement. However, it is also vital to contact an experienced attorney to help you determine your legal options. After all, if the manufacturer released a defective product, you will have the right to file a lawsuit to help you recover all of your applicable medical expenses and lost wages.
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