Medical implant companies have their eyes on quadrupling annual sales ofknee and hip implants, from one million now up to four million annually by 2030, according to a study by US News & World Report. Currently, this surgery is not seen as one which requires critical care. However, a recent medical report in the Anesthesiology Journal found that 3% of patients do require critical care arising out of heart or lung-related complications.
The lead author, Dr. Stavros Memtsoudis, is the director of Critical Care Services at The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, and he called special attention to various aspects of the older patient population. He noted with his co-authors that coronary artery disease, diabetes, and obesity appeared to be correlated with more critical care need. This study comes on the heels of news that smokers can take longer to heal than non-smokers after implant surgery. Our firm speaks personally with many clients undergoing revision surgery for knee and hip implants. We discuss with clients the need to follow physical therapy regimens, as well as paying particular attention to any aspects of the healing process which are not improving. Oftentimes, healthcare providers will not take seriously a patient’s complaints and overlook what could develop into a failed revision or other complications.
