The terrifying truth behind medical implants

If you’re getting a medical device implanted in your body — say a hip replacement or some surgical mesh — you can be pretty confident the device in question has had all the necessary checks and approvals, right?

Well, apparently not. In the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, John Oliver breaks down the less-than-rigorous process some devices go through before they’re cleared for use.

“Saying something is ‘FDA Cleared’ is in no way proof that the device actually works,” says Oliver, before explaining a loophole many companies use to get their products on the market.

It’s all pretty scary stuff, made even scarier by several real-life examples of times devices have gone wrong. If you’re squeamish, you may want to look away now.

See more here: sea.mashable.com

Header image: Birmingham Health Partners

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Comments (5)

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    Reader

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    I’m a victim of a medical implant – it destroys your health, finances, and emotional well-being. I have begged for death the pain gets so bad. The lawyer we had is trying to steal what little I’m to get for medical care.

    We’re in Sodom.

    Reply

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    Tom

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    FDA cleared? LMAO. It’s the same with most drugs. If the FDA is paid enough and has enough conflicts of interest within (people with interests in drug companies), the drug is approved no matter what. The FDA exists for only ONE purpose. That is to keep big pharma rolling in monstrous profits.

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    Max DeLoaches

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    I received a double knee replacement 10 years ago and for me it was a life saver. No more throbbing pain and sleepless nights. I believe the key to my success was my “physiotherapy commitment”. I went at it to the extreme for six weeks and the results show, as my quality of life increased and I am able to participate in any sporting activity.

    Reply

    • Avatar

      Jerry Krause

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      Hi Max,

      Right on!!! While I have never had any implants, my wife has had both hips replaced and the pain is gone. The issue is the physiotherapy to which you referred. Our bedroom is on the second story and the surgeon would not permit my wife to go home until she could climb a flight of stairs. Which occurred within 3 or 4 days of the surgery. And he required that she go to his approved physical therapist for some time where the therapy was painful.

      But I began this comment not to support your comment. My comment is call attention to the WHY of the need to have the implants. Medical science is so confusing and difficult because every person is different. I have run 4 miles many days and my joints still have cartilage to avoid the bone on bone joint which needs replacement. My wife never did any physical activity like this. And we have been told knee replacement requires much more physical therapy than the hip. A factor which should not be ignored is the weight that the joint needs to support. Which was not a factor in my wife’s case but, according to the surgeon, is a common factor.

      Finally, at the beginning of this joint replacement, there is no way to test what joint material is best. One just has to make a decision, try it, and wait to see what happens. However, the patient should not forget why a joint replacement seemed necessary because of the pain.

      Have a good day, Jerry

      Reply

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