Decision Report 201507990

Summary

Mrs C sustained a broken hip following an accident at work and underwent hip replacement surgery at Wishaw General Hospital the next day. She complained that she had been left in pain and walking with a limp since her surgery. In particular, she raised concern over the surgeon's indication that her ongoing symptoms were due to the type of prosthetic joint that he was required to use, due to non-availability of his preferred joint type.

We took independent advice from a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who advised that the type of prosthetic joint used in Mrs C's surgery was in keeping with relevant guidelines and best practice. They reviewed Mrs C's post-operative x-rays and considered that her surgery was carried out appropriately. On balance, they did not consider that her surgery was the cause of her ongoing symptoms and they were of the view that the use of an alternative joint would not have given a better outcome. They considered that there were alternative causes that were more likely explanations for the type of symptoms Mrs C experienced, including referred pain from the lower spine and/or inflammation of the soft tissues overlying the hip. As we found no evidence to suggest that Mrs C's surgery was not carried out appropriately, we did not uphold this complaint.

Mrs C also complained that appropriate follow-up action was not taken to address her ongoing symptoms. However, the adviser considered that she was appropriately followed up, including a second orthopaedic opinion having been sought. In addition, they did not consider that there was an unreasonable delay in referring Mrs C for pain management. We therefore did not uphold this aspect of Mrs C's complaint.