Heather Hansen obtained a defense verdict for an orthopedic surgeon in Philadelphia County. The plaintiff alleged that the orthopedic surgeon negligently opted to perform a bilateral total knee replacement despite alleged vascular compromise in the patient; and negligently ordered the use of a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine during the patient’s post-operative rehabilitation. The defense contended that the orthopedic surgeon appropriately performed the surgery as the patient was given pre-operative clearance and as the surgeon himself palpated pedal pulses pre-operatively and, therefore, detected no vascular compromise. The defense also contended that the post-operative rehabilitation order to utilize the CPM machine was appropriate and within the standard of care.
Following a five day trial, and after deliberating for a mere fifteen minutes, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the defense.