Orthopaedic and Spinal Injuries

Orthopaedic injuries are wide-ranging, from failure to diagnose fractures to infections of the bone and spinal injuries.

Orthopaedic Injuries

By way of definition, orthopaedic injuries are any injuries or trauma to the musculoskeletal system, which is made up of the bones in our body.

Typical surgical procedures carried out by Orthopaedic Surgeons include joint arthroscopy and arthroplasty, fixation of fractures and/or dislocations and spinal fusion.

Common Medical Negligence claims resulting from orthopaedic injuries include, but are not limited to:-

• Delay in diagnosing an injury to the musculoskeletal system.
• Misinterpretation of X-rays. This can lead to delayed treatment or inappropriate management.
• Negligent surgical technique causing mal-union or non-union of a fracture. Nerve injury can also be caused by this.
• Misdiagnosis of injury to any bones and delays in surgical intervention.
• Delay in surgical intervention.
• Use of the wrong replacement joint, the wrong size joint or the wrongly positioned joint.
• Poor aftercare leading to a number of difficulties, including infections.

It is imperative that any injuries to the musculoskeletal system are identified as early as possible to avoid delays in treating these, as this can lead to a number of complications, some of which can have severe consequences.

After care is also essential to ensure the healing process is working well and to identify any complications as soon as possible to obviate the need for patients suffering avoidable pain.

Spinal Injuries

Spinal injuries are one of the most common orthopaedic injuries and one of the most severe. Your spine is essentially the most important part of your musculoskeletal system and injuries to your spine can have detrimental effects.

In particular, the condition Cauda Equina Syndrome is one that needs to be treated extremely quickly with decompression surgery. Cauda Equina Syndrome occurs when the nerves which are placed below the end of the spinal cord are damaged and compressed. It is often seen as a medical emergency.

Often, an MRI is performed which will identify if Cauda Equina Syndrome is present.

If not treated quickly and correctly, the long term damage that can be caused is significant. The injuries sustained from the delay can range from incontinence, sexual dysfunction, loss of bowel sensation, pain in both or one leg, severe back pain, to name a few.

If there is a delay in diagnosing this condition or a delay in commencing treatment, you may be able to bring a claim for medical negligence, as injuries that arise as a result of the delay could have been avoidable.

Our specialist team has extensive experience in orthopaedic injuries and Cauda Equina Syndrome, caused by medical negligence and can help guide you through what is described as a difficult time.

For a no-obligation conversation or if you need any advice, please contact our Specialist Team.