Joint Implants

Even though joint replacement surgeries are quite common, there continues to be known risks for patients undergoing these reconstructive treatments. Surgeries involving prosthetic implants in the joints are often performed on the knees, hips, and shoulders. 

While many of these surgeries are successful, there is always a risk of infection or a defective medical device after surgery. The hope is that a joint replacement will improve a patient’s mobility. However, some people experience worse mobility after the surgery, making it difficult to move around easily. 

If you or a loved one had a bad outcome after joint replacement surgery, then it’s time to talk to a joint implant attorney to learn more about your legal options. Our team at Wormington & Bollinger is here to help.

Potential Complications After Joint Implant Surgery

Minor or moderate complications after surgery can often be corrected through medical treatments. However, if the complications are severe, a patient might need to undergo more surgeries or face life-threatening issues. Our team at Wormington & Bollinger can handle the legal strategy, allowing you to focus on recovery and healing.

Some of the most common injuries relating to joint implant surgery include:

• Implant Failure: 
  If a defective medical device is placed in the joint, then a patient’s movement will be limited after the surgery.  Various mechanical problems can occur, or the implant might be loose and fail to provide necessary stability in the joint. An implant failure lawsuit might be considered, especially because of the pain and suffering a person has to endure due to this problem.
• Infection:
  Any time a surgical treatment is happening, there is always a risk of infection. If the incision is exposed to bacteria and the patient’s immune system can’t fight the pathogens, then the site might become swollen, red, painful, and irritated. Over half of the infections that occur in prosthetic joints are due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), which could be a life-threatening complication since this bacterium is resistant to antibiotic treatments. 
• Allergic Reaction:
  Sometimes, patients experience an allergic response to the joint replacement hardware. For example, you might be allergic to the metal in the implants, which causes uncomfortable symptoms within the body or even auto-immune responses. Additionally, there is a higher risk of joint implant failure and ongoing infections at the implant site.
• Other Complications:
  Additionally, there are a variety of other complications that could occur, such as bone fractures, tissue necrosis, bone deterioration, blood clots, joint dislocation, nerve and blood vessel damage, and general wear and tear in the joint.

If you experience any of these complications, then it’s time to talk to a joint implant attorney about your legal options. Filing an implant failure lawsuit might give you access to financial compensation to cover associated medical costs, pay for your lost wages, and even extra money as compensation for pain and suffering.

Legal Recourse for Patients Harmed by Joint Implants

If you are suffering from complications after a defective medical device, it might feel overwhelming to work through the steps for recovery and also pursue legal recourse. Hiring a skilled joint implant attorney is the best decision you will make because you will have an advocate to help every step of the way. 

You need to be sure that you have the best firm representing you. Make sure that the attorney you choose has prior experience and success with implant failure lawsuits.

At Wormington & Bollinger, our team is here to offer the support you need every step of the way. We have years of experience winning medical cases, including lawsuits for a defective medical device and medical malpractice. We encourage you to contact us at your convenience to schedule a free consultation.

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