Client receives £20,000 compensation for knee replacement medical negligence

The incident

Our client was involved in an incident where they received substandard care during a knee replacement operation in 2015.

Our client, who’s in his sixties, has been suffering from pain in his left knee since 2012 when he first reported it to his GP.

Initially, the x-ray in 2012 showed a moderate degree of osteoarthritic changes in his knee (pain, swelling and gradual breaking down of bones).

However, years later in 2015, he eventually had a knee replacement to address these issues, but would later have more pain and stiffness as a result of the operation.

The aftermath

After having numerous appointments in 2013 to address his left knee pain, he was diagnosed with a tear to a flap of tissue (which could potentially move around and cause pain or instability) and a tear to the lateral meniscus (the shock absorber of the outside of the knee).

In 2015, a total left knee replacement was performed.

However, our client still felt stiffness afterwards so was then recommended an MUA – manipulation under anaesthesia.

Six months later, the client was still suffering from stiffness and pain, so underwent a debridement procedure (removes damaged, infected or dead tissue from the area) on the left knee in 2016.

Yet, in 2017, still suffering from pain, he was told he had aseptic loosening – the loosening of a joint replacement implant from the bone. This resulted in a revision (removal/replacement) of the knee replacement itself.

In 2018, a left total knee replacement was performed again.

However, in 2019, the client still suffered from a limited range of movement, which he was advised to address with physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.

The claimant had further investigations, but he was informed that the knee was to be managed conservatively.

The claimant still struggles with his knee to this day, having regular pain and finds walking up the stairs difficult. This incident has also impacted his ability to play cricket and go to the gym.

The case and outcome

The case was handled by Charlotte Watson – a Trainee CILEX lawyer

The substandard care performed in the left knee replacement in 2015 resulted in the tibia (shin bone) being cut to an unacceptable degree, and the lateral aspect of the tibial plateau (upper, weight-bearing surface of the tibia bone in the knee joint) had lifted.

As this led him to have ongoing pain, loosening of the knee and revision surgery much earlier than expected, this formulated the basis of his claim against the hospital.

The client received a settlement of £20,000 to compensate for the injuries he sustained as a result of the substandard care he received, and the life-long impacts this has had on his knee since.

Find out more about how Fletchers Solicitors can help with medical negligence claims.