Search:

Home | Health & Fitness


Prosthetic Knees and Hips

By: Alan Haburchak

Prosthetic limbs and joints are quite frequently used to help an individual who has damaged parts of their body. Whether the injury occurred over time as a natural part of wear and tear on the body, or whether a injury is the reason, prosthesis technology is more commonplace in today's society than previously. Especially when it comes to knee and hip replacements, which are by far the most common prostetic implants in individuals on average.

Hip and knee replacements are among the most common surgical procedures in all of orthopedic surgery. The procedure involves replacing damaged or deteriorated joints with artificial replacements, which include parts made of high molecular weight polyethylene, similar to pliable plastic. Most patients who undergo a hip or knee replacement gain improved agility, flexibility, and reduced pain; however, several prosthetic implants that have been sterilized in polyethylene have required additional surgical procedures.

Several companies use a technique known as gamma irradiation in air to sterilize the hip and knee prostheses. During the procedure, small pieces of the polyehtylene part of the device which was previously sterilized may break down and become stuck in the hip or knee joint of a patient. In the body's fight to rid itself of those pieces, the immune system can also attack the patient's healthy bone, causing it to decay, a condition known as osteolysis. Usually additional knee or hip prosthesis replacements will be required and more surgical procedures must occur.

Several of the following manufacturers are under investigation for faulty hip and knee implants that were manufactured in the early 1990s:

. Depuy

. Howmedica Osteonics Corp.

. Howmedica, Inc.

. Osteonics Corp.

. Zimmer

. Biomet

A detailed evaluation of an individual's medical records is one way to determine compensatory and physical damages incured for patients of knee or hip replacement with prostheses.

However, for those who have been involved in knee or hip replacement, the possibility to develop a hip or knee replacement lawsuit is available. To learn about hip or knee prostheses litigation, contact an experienced law firm. In such a case, the plaintiff will seek compensatory damages from the defendant for medical bills.

Article Source: http://www.articlemanual.com

To learn more about Baxter Heparin side effects or recalls, visit baxter-heparin.legalview.com/. Here, users will find information on range of legal and medical issues affecting millions of Americans such as the Chantix recall or the Trasylol injection side effects. Also learn about Avandia at avandia.legalview.com, which is a type 2 diabetes prescription drug that has been linked to heart disease and osteoporosis.



Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Health & Fitness Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From - Home | Health & Fitness
More Articles
Sign Up for a free account or learn more.
Submit Articles
Member Login
Top Authors
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds
Article Marketing Sites
News Desk
About Us
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Must See These
Right Article
Finance Manual
Health Manual
Web Directory

Powered by Article Dashboard