Sommers Schwartz attorney Matthew Turner filed a medical malpractice claim on behalf of a 53-year-old woman who, after undergoing total knee replacement surgery, sustained permanent neurological damage.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff suffered from arthritis in her right knee and the defendant orthopedic surgeon performed a total right knee replacement. Immediately following the procedure, the plaintiff experienced numbness and tingling in her right foot that was not present prior to the surgery. She continued to report these symptoms at follow-up appointments with the defendant, who reassured her that everything “looked good.” The plaintiff continued to complain about numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in her right foot and later, the defendant ordered an electromyogram that showed damage to the right tibial nerve and referred the patient to a neurologist.

An ultrasound revealed a mass-like abnormality involving the popliteal vessels and the plaintiff underwent successful surgery by another doctor to treat a popliteal pseudoaneurysm. She was ultimately diagnosed with permanent sensory damage to her tibial nerve. As a result, she cannot stand or walk for extended periods of time, has been forced to leave her employment, and has experienced significant weight gain due to her reduced mobility.

The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the defendant doctor failed to properly perform the knee replacement surgery and failed to provide appropriate post-operative care and treatment.

The action is pending in Macomb County, Michigan Circuit Court.