Negligent Hip Replacement Surgery Allegedly Causes Implant To Fail

Case Overview

This case involves an 80-year-old male patient who underwent a hip replacement revision for his left hip. He required a revision due to infection in his first implant. Because of the infection, the patient required a second implant as well as a femur implant. The patient was transferred to a rehabilitation facility for physical therapy. Approximately 3 weeks into physical therapy, the patient was being lifted in a Hoyer lift when he felt a sudden severe pain. He was taken to the hospital where it was discovered that his hip replacement had dislocated and he required emergency surgery. The patient suffered numerous complications as a result of the third surgery. An expert orthopedic surgeon was sought to speak to causation and damages.

Questions to the Orthopedic Surgery expert and their responses

How often do you perform hip replacements?

I perform approximately 300 hip replacements per year.

What would be some indications that the implant for a patient with a hip replacement was not properly placed at the initial surgery, leading the hip to be more prone to dislocation?

Some indications include the femoral component excessively anteverted or retroverted, the femoral stem not axial aligned down the femur or not in the canal.

About the expert

This highly qualified orthopedic surgeon has over 20 years of experience in the field of orthopedic surgery with a specialization in total hip replacements and knee arthroplasty. After earning his BA from the University of South Florida and his MD from Emory University School of Medicine, this expert went on to complete an internship in general surgery and a residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Miami. He then completed a prestigious fellowship in joint reconstructive surgery at Holy Cross Hospital. This expert is a member of several professional organizations including the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and the Southeast Orthopedic Society. This expert formerly served as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacements at Holy Cross Hospital and is currently the head orthopedic surgeon at a concierge orthopedic clinic in South FL.