Why Does My Husband Have Paralysis After Surgery?

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Surgery is always a scary thing. The risk of side effects or even death loom in your mind the entire time your loved one is under the knife. In some cases, your greatest fear may have been realized when your husband becomes paralyzed after the surgery. While there can be several different reasons for paralysis after surgery, one main cause is brain hypoxia

What Is Hypoxia?

Quite simply, hypoxia is when the brain or other part of the body does not get enough oxygen. When a person doesn't get the oxygen they require, function is impaired and cells can die. In addition to a reduced ability to move his body, your husband may experience temporary memory loss, difficulty paying attention, seizures, coma, or even death.

Hypoxia can occur for a number of reasons, but during surgery, it usually happens as a complication of general anesthesia. Additionally, it can occur with cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmia, or very low blood pressure. These are all vital statistics that your husband's doctor should have been monitoring closely during surgery. If they did not, then your husband could be the victim of malpractice. 

What Are Some Other Causes of Paralysis After Surgery?

Paralysis after surgery is not always a malpractice issue, as there are plenty of problems even the most attentive doctor cannot prevent. One such particular problem is nerve damage resulting from the use of a tourniquet. When a cuff is worn too tightly or for too long a period of time, it can cause mechanical stress on the nerves underneath, leading to a potentially irreversible loss of function. Nerve damage can also occur during the surgery itself, leading to paralysis in the affected area.

Another cause of paralysis after surgery could be the after effects of some medication used during the surgery. Anesthesia often takes several hours to wear off, during which you may feel groggy, weak, and unable to move your entire body.

What Is the Next Step?

If you think your husband is suffering from paralysis after a recent surgery, then the first step to take is to dial 911. It is imperative to seek prompt medical attention, since further hypoxia could lead to death if not treated. Once your husband is receiving proper treatment, or if your husband has passed on, give us a call. We have a number of doctors on our staff who can help you determine if your husband has been a victim of malpractice. We can help you file a lawsuit to help pay for the expenses resulting from the doctor's mistake.

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