Need Help: Surgery Screw Up

[childofhiphop]

Not me. My older sister had her hip replaced last month.

The doctor measured wrong and now her leg is a whole inch longer than the other. She is in so much pain. The new metal is now pushing her pelvis.

She has very limited income and resources. I told her I would help her figure this out.

Except I've never dealt with anything like this and don't know where to begin.

Any suggestions? If someone could just point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you. We're in California if that makes a difference.

[meshaliuknits]

OMG! Your poor sister.

No advice, but s lot of sympathy.

[andwhat]

OMG. I am so sorry that happened. I have no advice.

[kicks]

Has she gotten a second opinion?
Would she trust the same doctor to repair the surgery or does she want to find a new doctor?
I think it is very difficult for medical malpractice cases to be proven but you can always get a consult with a lawyer to see what they recommend. But going off of what you said it doesn't necessarily sound like neglect, but an unfortunate complication of surgery that can happen. But definitely get a lawyer's opinion.

Another non legal option would be to talk to the patient advocate at the hospital. They are usually very good at helping out patient's and their families with a wide variety of issues. They usually take complaints very seriously and work closely with families.

I hope she gets the pain under control. What a shitty thing to go through

[thejackpot]

No advice. So sorry for your sister. Hope she can get this fixed and is pain free very soon.

[childofhiphop]

Mar 28, 2017 8:38:16 GMT -5 kicks said:

Has she gotten a second opinion?
Would she trust the same doctor to repair the surgery or does she want to find a new doctor?
I think it is very difficult for medical malpractice cases to be proven but you can always get a consult with a lawyer to see what they recommend. But going off of what you said it doesn't necessarily sound like neglect, but an unfortunate complication of surgery that can happen. But definitely get a lawyer's opinion.

Another non legal option would be to talk to the patient advocate at the hospital. They are usually very good at helping out patient's and their families with a wide variety of issues. They usually take complaints very seriously and work closely with families.

I hope she gets the pain under control. What a shitty thing to go through

Thank you for the ideas!

The doctor's remedy was for her to take her shoes and get 1-inch lifts in them.

I will start the process of working with the patient advocate.

[kicks]

Mar 28, 2017 11:44:09 GMT -5 childofhiphop said:

Mar 28, 2017 8:38:16 GMT -5 kicks said:

Has she gotten a second opinion?
Would she trust the same doctor to repair the surgery or does she want to find a new doctor?
I think it is very difficult for medical malpractice cases to be proven but you can always get a consult with a lawyer to see what they recommend. But going off of what you said it doesn't necessarily sound like neglect, but an unfortunate complication of surgery that can happen. But definitely get a lawyer's opinion.

Another non legal option would be to talk to the patient advocate at the hospital. They are usually very good at helping out patient's and their families with a wide variety of issues. They usually take complaints very seriously and work closely with families.

I hope she gets the pain under control. What a shitty thing to go through

Thank you for the ideas!

The doctor's remedy was for her to take her shoes and get 1-inch lifts in them.

I will start the process of working with the patient advocate.

I would ask for a second opinion.
I'm honestly not super well versed on orthopedic surgery but I do know that heel lifts are recommended in some cases. I know heel lifts are recommended for people with leg length discrepancy who didn't have surgery. I don't know what the discrepancy measurement would need to be to completely try to fix the hip with another surgery. If I run in to any of the ortho surgeon residents today in the hospital I can ask them.

But yeah I'd get a second opinion and also see what the patient advocate says. Is she still in any kind of therapy? If not, Another option would be to get a referral to physical therapy with someone who specializes in hip replacements now that she's out of the acute recovery phase. Strengthening and stabilizing certain muscles might help her pain.

[meshaliuknits]

Mar 28, 2017 11:44:09 GMT -5 childofhiphop said:

Mar 28, 2017 8:38:16 GMT -5 kicks said:

Has she gotten a second opinion?
Would she trust the same doctor to repair the surgery or does she want to find a new doctor?
I think it is very difficult for medical malpractice cases to be proven but you can always get a consult with a lawyer to see what they recommend. But going off of what you said it doesn't necessarily sound like neglect, but an unfortunate complication of surgery that can happen. But definitely get a lawyer's opinion.

Another non legal option would be to talk to the patient advocate at the hospital. They are usually very good at helping out patient's and their families with a wide variety of issues. They usually take complaints very seriously and work closely with families.

I hope she gets the pain under control. What a shitty thing to go through

Thank you for the ideas!

The doctor's remedy was for her to take her shoes and get 1-inch lifts in them.

I will start the process of working with the patient advocate.

^o) That sounds like a cop-out on the doctor's part. This isn't the kind of thing where you should go "my bad" and walk off from.

[bugandbibs]

I'm so sorry! I hope things are able to be improved for her soon.

[kicks]

childofhiphop
Ok I've read up on this more (sorry haven't run across a ortho resident to ask).
I know I've had patients with this when I was in med school, but I don't know the final resolution with them

My recommendation still stands about physical therapy. Is she still in physical therapy?
Often it seems to take 6-12 months for muscles to kind of get back to normal. Before those 12 months heel lifts are recommended.
In general surgeons are on the hook for any doctor's appointments for 6 weeks (actually it might be 8 weeks, but I know it's at least 6 weeks) after surgery. Those are technically at no cost and are built in to the cost of the surgery. So technically if she asked for an appointment every other day with the surgeon she should get it and not have a copay.

It really sucks she's in pain, but if she's only 4 weeks out, I have hope that it will get better. Stick with the physical therapy, make a follow up appointment with the surgeon, get a second opinion and follow up with the patient care advocate.

I think if after 12 months there is still a discrepancy then they will do certain xrays to see the degree and decide if another surgery is necessary.

[childofhiphop]

Mar 29, 2017 16:26:00 GMT -5 kicks said:

childofhiphop
Ok I've read up on this more (sorry haven't run across a ortho resident to ask).
I know I've had patients with this when I was in med school, but I don't know the final resolution with them

My recommendation still stands about physical therapy. Is she still in physical therapy?
Often it seems to take 6-12 months for muscles to kind of get back to normal. Before those 12 months heel lifts are recommended.
In general surgeons are on the hook for any doctor's appointments for 6 weeks (actually it might be 8 weeks, but I know it's at least 6 weeks) after surgery. Those are technically at no cost and are built in to the cost of the surgery. So technically if she asked for an appointment every other day with the surgeon she should get it and not have a copay.

It really sucks she's in pain, but if she's only 4 weeks out, I have hope that it will get better. Stick with the physical therapy, make a follow up appointment with the surgeon, get a second opinion and follow up with the patient care advocate.

I think if after 12 months there is still a discrepancy then they will do certain xrays to see the degree and decide if another surgery is necessary.

She is going to follow up with the patient advocate and also request a second opinion. She has finished her PT about 2 weeks ago. She is diligent with her follow up exercises.

The length difference is really obvious especially when you look at how skewed her knee caps are.

I am so grateful for your comments!