"Rusty" surgeon's operation blunder costs naval officer career

A young man's naval career ended after surgical errors during treatment of a knee injury left him in permanent pain.

A 25 year old Chief Petty Officer suffered a knee injury during a rugby match. He attended a military hospital. But the medical team carried out no x-rays or investigations in to his injury.

The knee had frozen at a 90 degree angle and it caused a great deal of pain and obvious discomfort from not being able to straighten it. The doctor physically tried to straighten his leg and only stopped when he screamed from the pain. He was told that he would have to undergo an operation as he had torn his cartilage.

The surgeon in fact carried out two surgical procedures an arthroscopy and arthrotomy, a procedure the surgeon confessed he was "rusty" at performing.

The 25 year old was given the all clear to return to full duties and to play rugby by the medical officer after a few weeks. His knee still continued to be painful and so he returned to hospital.

The consultant confirmed he was fine to continue with his rugby and naval training. Over a 5 year period he continued to have pain in his knee and visited different hospitals and GP's and on all occasions was given the okay to play rugby and continue with his training.

Finally he was examined by another medial officer who undertook another arthroscopy which confirmed that 90% of his knee cartilage had been removed during the previous operation. Due to this the knee had developed extensive degenerative changes. He had in fact, at 30 years of age, the knee of a 60 year old.

"He was told that he should not have exercised after the first operation and that this had caused bone to rub against bone. The fact that he had been able to continue with sports and his military career for as long as he had was extraordinary," said Frances Letchford, Clinical Negligence Lawyer.

"Following the discovery of his knee condition, the young man has not only had to give up playing rugby one of his great passions but has also been medically discharged from the navy leaving behind his career at a time when he was on the verge of promotion."

"We have been delighted to be able secure a compensation award for him not only has the poor medial treatment has effected both his career and his personal life, the injury he has sustained means he will have to have a replacement knee joint approximately every 15 years."

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