An initial draft report into 561 hip surgeries on children since 2021 found 79 per cent of the surgeries at Cappagh hospital and 60 per cent at Temple Street “did not meet the threshold for surgery. According to that audit, 561 children went through these hip surgeries since 2021.
There is now confirmation that the children’s “hip surgery scandal” at two Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals goes back 15 years and not just the two-year period currently under review.
Unnecessary hip surgery operations on children
Every healthcare professional owes a duty of care to their patients. If you or a family member have suffered an injury while receiving medical care or underwent unnecessary surgery, this may be considered medical negligence.
We specialise in handling hip-related claims, including congenital hip dysplasia claims compensation and hip dysplasia misdiagnosis cases.
Hundreds of unnecessary hip surgeries have taken place on young children, an investigative report has found.
The report audited decision-making for pelvic osteotomy surgeries in young children with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip( DDH) against published consensus principles.
A majority of 561 hip surgeries on young children at both Cappagh and Temple Street hospitals were not medically warranted, the report found. The audit has found that 79 per cent of surgeries at Cappagh and 60 per cent at Temple Street did not meet the clinical threshold for corrective operations. The report recommends now that all children whose hips were operated on between 2021 and April last year should be recalled and independently assessed.
What is hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common issue that affects babies’ hip joints. Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is a congenital (present at birth) condition. In adults and children, the top of the thigh bone (head of femur) fits into a cup-like socket in the pelvis (acetabulum) to make a hip joint. This joint is a ball and socket joint.
In these cases, the hip socket may be
- Shallow.
- Slipping in and out of the socket as he/she moves.
- Completely dislocated.
This can affect one or both hips. If left untreated, it can cause a limp and osteoarthritis.
Children with mild DDH are usually treated with a Pavlik Harness or hip abductor brace. The brace /harness holds the femur (thigh bone) in the correct position. Over time, the hip socket develops, which will prevent the joint from dislocating.
Children with more severe forms of DDH may need surgery in the form of a hip reduction surgery or an osteotomy. The term Osteotomy refers to reshaping a bone. A pelvic osteotomy can be done alone, in combination, or together with a hip reduction.
This report has now concluded that some surgeons have been performing significant numbers of pelvic osteotomies for children that are not indicated
Examples of Hip Dysplasia Negligence
- Negligent Failure to Diagnose in Infants: Hip dysplasia is often present at birth or develops during infancy. Negligence can occur if healthcare providers fail to diagnose hip dysplasia in newborns or infants, leading to delayed treatment and worsening of the condition.
- Negligent Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: In older children, adolescents, or adults, hip dysplasia may present with symptoms such as hip pain, limping, or difficulty walking. Negligence may occur if healthcare providers misdiagnose these symptoms as another condition or delay the diagnosis of hip dysplasia, resulting in prolonged pain and disability.
- Inadequate Treatment: Proper treatment of hip dysplasia may involve interventions such as bracing, physical therapy, or surgical procedures like hip osteotomy or total hip replacement. Negligence can occur if patients receive inadequate or inappropriate treatment, leading to worsened symptoms or complications.
- Unnecessary/unwarranted surgery
At Lynch Solicitors we have specialist expertise with respect to Hip Litigation.
We have been involved in the DePuy Hip litigation since the product was first recalled in this country in 2010. We have dealt with a significant number of cases for our clients. We consider ourselves as one of the top firms in this specialist area. We have acted for clients from each corner of the country.
For further advice, please contact gilliano@lynchsolicitors.ie or reception@lynchsolicitors.ie or telephone 052-6124344.on@lynchsolicitors.ie or telephone 052-6124344.
