Medical - Prosthetics / implants experts

Introduction

Experts in the field of prosthetics assess and treat the physical and functional limitations of people that result from from illnesses and disabilities. These may include limitations formed through limb amputations. Prosthetics and implants are artificially manufactured substitutes for body parts which are then usually surgically inserted into tissue for functional, cosmetic, or therapeutic purposes. Prostheses can be functional, as in the case of artificial limbs or cosmetic, as in the case of an artificial eye. Prosthetists are trained to prescribe, design, fit and monitor orthoses and prostheses.

Some of the most common prostetics are:

• Breast Implants (often after a mastectomy)
• Knee replacement surgery
• Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) shunt systems
• Cochlear ear implants
• Permanent birth control
• Hernia surgical mesh implants
• Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants
• Phakic Intraocular Lense
• Urogynecologic Surgical Mesh Implants.

For some people, fitting a prosthetic limb or other body part without any permanent attachment to the body, can be impractical. These patients may benefit from osseointegration where the prosthesis can be permanently attached to the bone by becoming accepted. Usually titanium prosthetic implants will allow this to integration to take place, although a coating that mimics bone (such as hydroxyapatite) has also been shown to be effective.

Bone-anchored implants have been used for attaching prostheses to many parts of human body. They have been used as a basis for artificial eyes, noses, ears, hands, and
even thigh and mouthparts.

One problem with all types of bone-anchor is the need to undergo further plastic surgery after the initial surgery to remove the diseased part, after amputation of a limb. This means having to go through two or three additional plastic surgery procedures before the implant can be used as a bone-anchor. There is also some risk of infection at the prosthetic implant site. Patients must also put up with a change in appearance of the treated part, especially as there will be a piece of metal permanently protruding from the skin.

Prosthetists can be of great help to the legal process. They would be able to examine the effectiveness of certain surgeries and whether certain implants would have been effective in their application. Prosthetists can provide information regarding whether best practices were followed in the recommendation, assessment, and implementation of implants for individuals. This evidence may be crucial to a matter that relies on examination of prosthetics and orthotics.

At the bottom of this profile are brief details of a number of the experts that Expert Experts represents. Call our office to discuss your requirements and to obtain a recommendation that suits your needs and budget.

Expertise in Action

Experts in the field of prosthetics and implants are essential in cases of medical negligence and malpractice where personal injury or loss has taken place. They may be required to perform independent medical examinations, review medical records, and write expert reports on the standard of care in surgery procedures.

Sample Reports

For some fields of expertise we have some sample sections of de-identified reports. Please contact our office if you are interested in a sample.

Cost

The overall cost of expert opinion depends on the services required. Some of the key factors that affect the cost of advice include:

• The need for a view or inspection of a location
• The quantity of documentary material to be reviewed
• Whether there are reports of other experts to be reviewed and commented on in detail
• Whether there is a need for conferences with the expert either in person or by telephone/Skype

Relevant Articles Concern grows over hernia mesh as more patients share post-surgery horror stories

More patients who have undergone hernia operations are coming forward with stories of painful post-surgery complications they say have been caused by hernia-mesh products. They have spoken out as the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) said General Surgeons Australia was investigating the feasibility of establishing a mesh audit.

Breast reconstruction – advantages of disadvantages of using implants

Implant reconstruction typically uses silicone or saline implants. These implants are inserted under the chest muscle onto the chest wall.

Relevant Cases Health Care Complaints Commission v Reid [2018] NSWCATOD 162

The competence of a surgeon who used mesh in a number of gynaecological surgeries was questioned after a number of patients experienced complications

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