Attorney Explains Knee Replacement Medical Malpractice

Knee Pain Doctor Gaithersburg, MD

Orthopedic surgeons offer relief for injuries and chronic diseases of the muscles, bones and joints. When you suffer complications from care or experience a worsening of symptoms you may be eligible for a malpractice case – and in need of a knee pain doctor Gaithersburg, MD relies on at Pain Arthritis Relief Center to help you get on the road to recovery.

What are common risks and side-effects of knee replacement surgery?

Just like any surgery, knee replacement comes with the possibility of serious risks and side-effects.

The basic mechanics of knee replacement surgery are as follows:

  • Replace the end of the femur (upper leg bone) with a metal cap
  • Replace the end of the tibia (lower leg bone) with a plastic piece and metal stem
  • Possibly remove or replace posterior cruciate ligament on sides of the knee joint

Undergoing knee replacement surgery puts you at risk for:

  • Infection, which could require a second surgery
  • General loss of, or degradation to, range of motion
  • Chronic stiffness
  • Nerve damage
  • Blood vessel injury
  • Blood clots

Do I have a malpractice case?

Malpractice occurs when a medical professional fails to live up to the standard of care in his or field. It poses the question: under the same circumstances, how would a reasonable orthopedic surgeon have acted?

Sometimes cases are clear-cut. For example, the incorrect knees gets operated on. Most often though, the lines of a case are blurred with conflicting testimony from both sides.

Your attorney will consider all factors in your case to determine if the orthopedic surgeon may have acted negligently. Medical malpractice cases can be challenging, time-consuming, and require a high attention to detail. This is why many people choose to have the assistance of an experienced attorney.  

What damages can I collect?

If you bring forward a medical malpractice case against your orthopedic surgeon and win, you can expect the damages to cover some or all of the following:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages if you have been unable to work
  • Physical therapy
  • Loss of consortium
  • Pain and suffering

How long do I have to bring a case forward?

If you believe you may be the victim of a medical malpractice case in your knee replacement surgery, do not delay seeking legal advice.

These cases are not meant to be tackled when your recovery is complete. It may take months or even years for you to regain everything you have lost, if you are lucky enough to get back to where you were. By the time this happens, it’s possible the statute of limitations may have have passed.