News of interim restrictions imposed on orthopaedic surgeon, Kuldeep Stohr; how we’re supporting patients

An orthopaedic surgeon at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), Kuldeep Stohr, has had interim restrictions imposed on her work by the General Medical Council (GMC). This comes after Ms Stohr was suspended earlier in the year after a review found that outcomes from some of her procedures were below acceptable standards.

The restrictions require clinical supervision for all her posts, prevent her from performing certain hip and pelvic surgeries unless supervised, limit her to NHS posts (excluding locum or fixed-term contracts), and obligate her to inform the GMC of any new posts or formal disciplinary proceedings.

The trust has also initiated a wider review of around 700 patients treated by her and 100 paediatric trauma cases to assess potential concerns with her emergency and planned surgery.

You can read more about the restrictions here: GMC restrictions placed on surgeon suspended from Addenbrooke’s after concerns over operations

In light of the above, it is important to highlight our own experience in supporting a child who has been adversely affected by surgery performed by Ms Stohr – and also to encourage any other individuals who may be affected, to step forward for support.

Supporting our client: surgical complications for a child treated by Kuldeep Stohr

In June 2022, an eight-year-old girl (Child A), who lives with severe cerebral palsy (GMFCS Level V quadriplegia) and multiple associated conditions – including global developmental delay, scoliosis, epilepsy, and dependence on PEG feeding – underwent a series of complex orthopaedic procedures intended to improve her hip stability and comfort. The planned operation included cutting and reshaping the bones of the pelvis to correct deformities in the hip joint (pelvic osteotomy) but there was a failure to perform this much needed part of the operation which meant that the operation was less effective as it should have been.

Two years later, concerns emerged about the quality and outcomes of that surgery. During the operating surgeon’s absence in 2024, colleagues reviewing their patients noted an unusually high rate of complications. These concerns were formally escalated, prompting an external review led by an orthopaedic consultant in September 2024. His initial findings highlighted significant deficiencies in several cases, including Child A’s.

According to the review, Child A had been listed for both femoral and pelvic osteotomies; however, the pelvic procedures were not performed, and no explanation was recorded in the operation notes.

Preoperative imaging had shown an acetabular index of approximately 40 degrees bilaterally – an indicator that pelvic osteotomies were clinically warranted. While the femoral osteotomies appeared satisfactory, with appropriate neck-shaft angles of about 110 degrees, the left hip remained incompletely reduced, leaving it unstable.

The orthopaedic consultant leading the review, concluded that poor intraoperative judgment had been exercised and that the pelvic osteotomies, particularly on the left side, should have been performed.

Subsequent imaging supported these concerns. A year after the procedure, Child A’s left hip was in a partially dislocated state. The right hip remained in place but was effectively protected by the direction of her spinal curvature, which altered pelvic alignment. X-rays taken in October 2023 and September 2024 showed minimal improvement.

Child A’s parents also reported that her scoliosis appeared to worsen following surgery and that her left leg exhibited marked internal rotation, contrasting with neutral alignment on the right. While her consultant explained that scoliosis progression was likely unrelated to the hip operation, further investigations – including a CT scanogram -were requested to assess femoral rotation and determine whether additional corrective surgery would be necessary. Potential future procedures discussed included a left pelvic acetabular osteotomy, a derotational femoral osteotomy, and removal of existing metalwork from the right hip.

There was also concern about possible avascular necrosis of the right femoral head, indicating early deterioration of bone tissue due to disrupted blood supply. 

However, Child A’s parents have now been told that further surgery is too dangerous and conservatives measures such as botulinum toxin injections, which provide short term relief, are advised.  They have also been told that her muscle tone needs to be maximised before major corrective surgery can be performed.    

Specialist legal support for clients affected by Ms Stohr’s surgeries

Child A is being supported by Kashmir Uppal, Partner and Clinical Negligence Solicitor. A talented and passionate legal professional, Kashmir is described by Chambers & Partners as a “well-regarded practitioner with a broad practice and particular experience with multiparty actions and cases involving rogue surgeons.”

Kashmir is tenacious in securing justice for her clients. Many of the individuals she has supported have suffered significant and serious injuries, and she often represents children and young adults who have suffered brain injury at the time of, or shortly after birth.

Speaking about Child A, Kahmir says:

“This case illustrates how failures in surgical judgment and documentation can have lasting consequences for vulnerable patients. The omission of indicated pelvic osteotomies and the absence of a clear intraoperative rationale not only compromised the surgical outcome, but also necessitated further invasive procedures.

“It underscores the importance of robust multidisciplinary oversight, clear operative planning, and comprehensive postoperative review -especially in complex cases where the margin for error is small, and the impact on quality of life is profound.” If you’d like to learn more about Kashmir and her connection with this case, you can contact the team here: Contact Us – Fletchers Solicitors