Pain from IVC Filters
If you are experiencing any serious pain and you think it could be related to your inferior vena cava (IVC) filter, the first thing you should do is call your doctor. They can do tests to make sure the filter is still in place and working properly, and can take a look to see if your IVC filter could be the cause of the pain.
One of the most common complaints of IVC filters is that if it is starting to fracture, pain may occur in places where pieces of the device are migrating. Pain associated with IVC filters could be pain in the leg, it could be swelling, or anything of the like.
Reasons for Pain
The complications associated with the IVC filter include migrating or moving from where it was placed. When your surgeon places the IVC filter in the vena cava, it is positioned as intended to collect blood clots. However, if it starts to tilt, move out of position, or move outside of where it is supposed to be, it may come close to or actually pierce the wall of the vena cava or the actual vein itself. This piercing can cause pain in and of itself.
If you think you might be suffering a pulmonary embolism, clotting, or other injuries resulting from an IVC filter, contact your doctor immediately. Any of these injuries could mean that the filter is not working, and are certainly things to look out for.
Impact on Health
The health repercussions of a tilting or migrating retrievable IVC filter can severely impact a person’s life, and the lives of those they love. Pain is only one of the many impacts a person can experience, but it can still hinder the normalcy of someone’s life. It can make mobility and activity difficult, and can make life as a whole significantly less enjoyable.
If you, or someone you know, has experienced pain or other health problems due to an IVC filter, it is imperative to contact a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as possible. Having an attorney on your side to pursue a case involving IVC filters can make a substantial difference. An attorney will help you navigate the legal process ahead of you, and will focus and work through the frustrations of your case, allowing you the time and energy to focus on recovery.
What to Do
First and foremost, call your doctor. If you have a retrievable IVC filter, make sure your doctor is diligent about checking it.
In some cases, a person will have the filter placed before an orthopedic surgery with the intention of having it removed within a month or two, but it goes unchecked. It may not be causing any problem, so doctors may leave it in place.
The important thing to know and discuss with your doctor, though, is that countless studies have proven that the longer these temporary filters are left in place, the greater the likelihood they will tilt, fracture, or otherwise cause harm to the person who has one.
