Doctor Error in Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements

Posted in Drug & Medical Devices, Medical Malpractice on June 17, 2014

All artificial hip replacements carry some risks, including wear of the component parts, breakage of the device itself, and risk of adverse side effects such as nerve damage or joint pain. These risks can increase if the hip replacement procedure is not performed properly. For this reason, if you feel pain or other side effects after a hip replacement procedure, you should consult with a doctor first and then a medical malpractice attorney.

In addition to the more general risks listed above, metal-on-metal hip replacements carry their own unique set of risks. In a metal-on-metal hip replacement, the metal component parts will slide against one another when a person walks or runs. This can cause metal to be released into the bloodstream. Corrosion is another risk that is associated with metal-on-metal hip replacements, and it can also cause metal ions to be released into the bloodstream.

Although there is no way to entirely prevent the release of metal ions into the bloodstream, there are steps that surgeons and doctors can take to lessen the risk. A medical malpractice attorney can help you figure out whether or not your doctor took the appropriate precautions. Ideally, doctors should take steps to optimize the way the metal ball and socket rub against one another.

If you believe that your doctor did not take such steps, and if blood tests show an increased amount of metal in your bloodstream, you should seek the assistance of a medical malpractice attorney. That attorney will be able to help you determine whether or not the health care providers who performed your hip replacement procedure are liable for any injuries or ill health caused by the procedure.