Menu

• Home
• Surgery Negligence
  • Bladder Surgery
  • Bunion Surgery
  • Emergency Surgery
  • Eye Surgery Negligence
  • Knee Surgery Negligence
  • Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
  • Orthopaedic Negligence
  • Surgery Infection
  • Varicose Vein Surgery
• Case Studies
• No Win No Fee
• Our Team
• Medical Negligence
• Free Enquiry

Mismanagement of a Surgical Site Infection Leaves Patient Immobile

Following a fall and fearing that she had suffered severe damage, Judith went to the local hospital for investigation. An x-ray revealed that she had fractured her femur and she underwent a partial right hip replacement as a result.

Unfortunately, over the next couple of days, her wound began to ooze fluid and she began to feel unwell. She was commenced on antibiotics and discharged a few days later. However, within two days, her wound had opened and was leaking significant amounts of fluid. Judith was now in considerable pain and her legs and feet were swollen. Returning to hospital, she underwent several tests but was again discharged.

On the advice of the district nurse and continuing to experience pain and leakage from her wound, she attended hospital again two days later. She was advised to continue taking antibiotics and sent home.

Over the next few days, Judith began to feel extremely unwell, vomiting and continuing to experience copious amounts of fluid leaking from her wound. Returning to hospital once again, she underwent a wound wash-out and debridement procedure, what turned out to be the first of numerous and unsuccessful surgical procedures to try to resolve the infection which had developed.

Over the coming months, Judith struggled with repeated debridement procedures, multiple courses of antibiotics, on-going pain and deteriorating health. Five months after her initial hip replacement, a Girdlestone procedure was carried out to remove the hip prosthesis and a further course of antibiotics was prescribed. Now confined to bed, Judith's condition did not improve.

After a further three months of tests and pain and debridement procedures, Judith's infection remained unresolved and she was finally referred to a specialist orthopaedic unit. There, she was diagnosed with a bone infection and underwent major surgery to remove all remaining foreign material from the wound site as well as further debridement of tissue. She was discharged a month later. It was decided not to attempt to carry out another hip replacement at that time due to the months of pain and distress which Judith had already undergone.

Judith's post-operative infection had finally been resolved and she feels that the surgeons at the orthopaedic unit saved her life. However, the quality of her life has been dramatically curtailed by the on-going failure to manage her infection in the early stages.

Having once been an active woman, Judith's mobility is now severely restricted and she can take part in no physical activities. Her former hobby of sailing is now out of the question. She remains in considerable pain and is reliant on care, struggling to navigate her way around her own home.

When she approached Glynns to investigate the quality of her medical care, our medical experts were shocked at the level of mismanagement of her infection following her partial hip replacement, describing treatment as inappropriate and inadequate. For example, it was felt that, had the Girdlestone procedure been carried out months earlier than it was and had all residue of cement been removed at that time, the infection may have resolved at an earlier stage. Judith would not have suffered the additional and unnecessary pain, distress and loss of mobility which subsequently occurred.

It was further felt that microbiologist advice should have been sought at an earlier stage.

Following our investigations, it was accepted that the quality of Judith's care had been substandard and she was awarded in excess of £1million in compensation.

(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)

Would You Like Assistance from Specialist Surgey Negligence Claims Solicitors?

If you would like to benefit from a service of excellence with total commitment to client care from a small and friendly team, Glynns are ready and waiting to help you.

Early legal assistance is essential. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.