For many women, physical exertion, such as coughing, exercise, heavy lifting, or sneezing can cause an accidental leakage of urine. Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), as it is known, is the most common type of urinary incontinence found in women. Stress incontinence may be caused by a weakened pelvic muscles that supports the bladder and urethra or because the urethral sphincter is not working correctly. Weakness may be caused by:
- Childbirth
- Injury to the urethra area
- Some medications
- Surgery in the prostrate or pelvic area
Sometimes, vaginal sling procedures are performed in an effort to control stress incontinence. However, in July of 2011, the FDA advised doctors that most cases of pelvic organ prolapse can be effectively treated without the use of a bladder sling. Unfortunately, many women in the Atlanta metropolitan area who have had vaginal mesh implants have experienced:
- Complications during sex
- Corrosion of the mesh
- Hardening of the mesh
- Infection
- Injury to nearby nerves
- Pelvic Pain
- Urinary problems
- Vaginal pain and discomfort
Urinary incontinence is typically caused by an underlying medical condition that is usually treatable without the need of surgery. Moreover, there is no indication that bladder slings help women when its main use is treating pelvic organ prolapse. So, why the prevalence of the mesh slings. Pressure or incentives from the manufacturers to use them?
Manufacturers of these devices have failed to properly warn patients and healthcare practitioners of the possible problems associated with the vaginal mesh. Furthermore, surgery is only recommended after the exact cause of urinary incontinence has been found. Most of the time, healthcare providers will attempt retraining the bladder or Kegel exercises before surgery is even considered.
Unfortunately, many women throughout the Atlanta area have suffered injuries caused by vaginal mesh systems that have been marketed by a number of different medical device manufacturers. And as an Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer, I am always examining possible claims on behalf of women who have received any kind of surgical mesh or bladder sling to repair pelvic organ prolapse. In fact, I have received a $5.5 million verdict in a medical malpractice trial which involved the repeated infections of surgical sites that were re-enforced with surgical mesh. Looking back, while this was a great result for the client, I have to believe that the surgical mesh was infected, at least in part, by the claims that are becoming prevalent today related to the mesh itself.
Attorney Robert J. Fleming has been handling wrongful death cases, automobile accident cases, personal injury cases, dental malpractice and medical malpractice lawsuits for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 20 years in and around Atlanta, Georgia and its surrounding areas, including Alpharetta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Duluth, Decatur, Doraville, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree City, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, and Smyrna. If you have been seriously injured and would like quality legal representation, contact Robert J. Fleming directly on (404) 525-5150 or contact us online.