Following a total hip arthroplasty procedure, a male patient was diagnosed with an infection of the MRSA ‘Super Bug’ bacteria, suffering numerous ramifications. Though he was treated with antibiotics immediately following the surgery, he complained of a continuing hip pain that necessitated visits to specialists for four years. Eventually, a biopsy revealed that there was a staph epidermidis infection in the replaced hip, which required a prolonged course of antibiotics and a complete revision of the total hip arthroplasty. The consequent medical malpractice lawsuit alleged that the surgeon’s negligence had led to an infection which severely limited the patient’s quality of life.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. Are you familiar with the type of patient described above?
2. Have you ever published or lectured on the matter?
Expert Witness Response E-007396
I am familiar with this type of case and personally perform hip replacements very frequently. I have not had a patient develop this problem after surgery, and would need a closer look at the relevant medical records in order to comment more substantially on how this could have happened.
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