Knee Operation Goes Wrong At Pinderfields Hospital

Published: 20th May 2015

In 2011, a Wakefield woman underwent a knee replacement operation at Pinderfields Hospital. Unfortunately, the surgeon placed the plastic knee replacement wrongly and so the patient found that she was unable to walk properly.

She underwent five revision operations but because the surgeon had not recognised the original mistake, he made things worse by loosening the stabilising ligament that made her knee even weaker than it was before. She spent months with no knee in at all, whilst she was being treated for infections in the knee following one revision operation.

And when she was given a blood transfusion, she suffered a reaction which means that special measures need to be taken whenever she has a blood transfusion in the future.

Although the initial problems with her knee were eventually rectified, because of the large number of operations she has had, the life expectancy of her knee is poor and her knee is not much better than it was before the original procedure. She now needs a stair lift in her house and aids and adaptations so that she can cope with everyday living, as well as day-to-day assistance with care.

In March 2012 the patient approached Liddy’s Solicitors, up to which point the hospital had denied any fault.

Liddy’s obtained a report from an orthopaedic consultant outside of the area who clarified what mistakes had been made. When this was put to the hospital, it admitted responsibility.

This lady’s case will be listed for trial for her to recover damages for her injuries, for the assistance that she will need for the rest of her life and the modifications to her house that will be necessary.

Knee and hip replacements are now routine surgery and generally should not result in long-term disability. The vast majority are successful but where they are not, the results can be life changing. Where a surgeon has failed to use basic skill and care, it is right that the patient should receive damages to let them cope with the disability.

If you think that you may have been let down by the hospital, contact Liddy’s Solicitors for a no obligation chat.