3 Common Medical Devices That Can Be Defective
| March 12th, 2018
Medical device manufacturers often promise that their products will provide relief to patients who suffer from a wide variety of health problems. And while many patients do benefit from medical devices, some may experience severe and even life-threatening complications—especially when those defective devices are implanted into their bodies. Medical devices can be defective for different reasons, including flawed designs, low-quality components, and flawed manufacturing processes. Because medical devices are often surgically implanted inside patients’ bodies, it may be difficult to tell if they have failed or are in the process of failing. That means patients may not realize the symptoms they’re experiencing are due to their medical devices breaking down. Although any medical device can be defective, three of the most common include:- Hip replacements – There are several types of hip implants, and some of the most popular are linked to serious injuries, including bone fractures, metal poisoning (metallosis), tissue death, and bone loss.
- Knee replacements – Some knee replacements are also prone to failure, and patients who receive defective knee implants often experience debilitating symptoms that can include pain, reduced range of motion, instability, and difficulty walking.
- Birth control implants – For many women, the convenience and reliability of birth control implants is a major selling point, but some of those devices are linked to conditions that include internal organ damage, infection, and even infertility.
