Poor knee surgery devastates elderly mans life

Roy was a very active 76 year old, he enjoyed playing golf, swimming and taking his pet dog on long walks. He was also the main carer for his disabled wife.

Roy began to experience discomfort in his knee so he decided to visit an orthopaedic clinic that was held at the golf club where he was a member. The doctor that examined his knee recommended that he would need to have a knee replacement. Roy was put on the NHS waiting list for the operation.

After a few months he was told that he would be able to have the operation sooner if he did not go to his local hospital but travelled to another hospital which he agreed to do. He was keen to be able to get back to normal as soon as possible so that he could look after his wife.

Immediately after the operation he was in a great deal of pain. This concerned Roy as he was worried for his wife but the medical team reassured him that his knee would improve within 6 weeks or so with physiotherapy.

But this was not to be, his physiotherapist became very concerned with the lack of progress that Roy was making and referred him to a consultant at his local hospital. The consultant examined Roy's knee and took x-rays. Upon looking at the x-rays it became clear that the knee replacement had been done incorrectly. In fact the consultant described it as an "ill fitting prosthesis which had been "stuffed" into his knee". In fact the consultant was so appalled that he refused to refer any more patients there.

Roy has to undergo a further operation to correct the previous one. He can no longer play golf or swim and has had to find a new home for his pet dog.

Roy approached Bond Pearce's clinical negligence team to help. He wanted to make sure that no one underwent the same painful experience that he had undergone. The team are continuing their investigations.

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If you would like to seek expert legal advice relating to this case study or any other injury claim please complete the online enquiry form or call 0800 915 4650