A hip replacement is becoming an increasingly common procedure in the United States, as there are people who have such bad hips that it requires a total hip replacement through surgery. Like any surgery, though, things can go wrong. The problems post-surgery may be minor, leaving the patient with minimal issues that do not require additional surgery. Others, though, may be more serious, and either require a separate surgery or a consultation with a medical specialist.

One of the more common problems that comes along with hip replacement surgeries are blood clots. The big risk here is that a clot can break off from the leg (the most common place for a blood clot to form) and travel to the heart, lung, or in rare cases, the brain. If one is to notice blood clots after their hip replacement surgery, it is important to talk to a doctor about blood thinners to reduce the risk.

Another common risk associated with a hip replacement is an infection around the area of the new hip. While most of these infections can be treated with antibiotics, ones that become too large around the area of the prosthesis may require an additional surgery to replace it.

One more common risk that can come with hip replacement surgery is dislocation. This occurs when the ball of the new joint becomes dislodged within the first few months following the surgery. Typically, a doctor can fix this with a brace in order to keep the hip in the right place, but if it keeps dislocating, additional surgery is normally required to stabilize it.

If you or someone you know has just had a hip replacement and are having problems with it, it is very important to take action immediately. Contact Salter Ferguson today to schedule a consultation, as it may be possible to hold the manufacturer accountable and collect compensation for medical expenses and pain, along with other damages.