Settlement following failure to spot sepsis in right knee replacement at Alexandra Hospital causing multiple revision surgeries
Helen Thompson and Gabriella Gooday reached a six-figure settlement on behalf of a woman following a delay in diagnosis of infection in the right knee joint at Alexandra Hospital, Redditch following a total knee replacement 2 months' prior.
Sandra* had a childhood history of Perthes Disease affecting her right hip. Following a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, she underwent a right total knee replacement at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in November 2016.
Two months' later, Sandra attended A&E at Alexandra Hospital with severe pain and swelling in her right knee. She was assessed and a blood sample was taken, but was not reviewed, prior to being diagnosed with a soft tissue injury and discharged home with painkillers.
Sandra, in fact, had a CRP in excess of 200, which was indicative of infection that required urgent orthopaedic input and a procedure to wash out and replace parts of the knee prosthesis.
Over the next four days, Sandra's condition worsened and she was admitted to Cheltenham General Hospital. It was found that Sandra had developed right septic arthritis requiring urgent IV antibiotics and debridement.
Sandra was subsequently transferred to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital where she underwent a primary revision of the right knee replacement before being discharged home.
Post-surgery, Sandra suffered an abnormal gait pattern with in-toeing, chronic knee pain and related weakness in her back and hip. It was subsequently found that the prosthesis used during revision surgery had been inserted at the wrong alignment for Sandra in light of her history of Perthes disease. She underwent re-revision surgery 14 months' later.
Sandra continues to suffer ongoing pain and instability in her right knee, which affects her mobility and ability to carry out daily activities. She is unable to enjoy the sporting hobbies she once did.
Once instructed, Helen & Gabriella obtained supportive expert evidence from experts in emergency medicine, orthopaedic surgery and microbiology. The Trust accepted there was a failure to record and review the results the blood tests during Sandra's admission to Alexandra Hospital and, had they done so, she should have been referred for orthopaedic review. Following negotiations, Helen & Gabriella were able to secure a six-figure settlement.
Following settlement, Sandra said:
"The injury that I sustained had a significant impact on every aspect of my day-to-day life and continues to do so. I was severely traumatised following the injury. My claim was complex and without Helen and Gabby's expertise, tenacity and enormous amount of patience, we would never have achieved the final settlement. I continue to live with a permanent disability which could have been avoided. The settlement cannot give me my leg and old life back, but I am so grateful for everything Helen and Gabby did for me in my claim. I would not hesitate to recommend them to other potential clients."
*name changed
Contact us
For further information about sepsis negligence claims and delayed diagnosis claims, please call Helen Thompson on 0330 460 6765 or email helen.thompson@fieldfisher.com, or call Gabriella Gooday on 03304606758 or email gabriella.gooday@fieldfisher.com.
Alternatively
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