A defense verdict was recently successfully obtained by Partners Tracie A. Vizza and Lisa Peters, in Delaware County. An Orthopedic surgeon, who specializes in hips was sued on claims that he failed to appropriately diagnose the patient’s condition and, as a result, recommended and performed two unnecessary hip surgeries. The patient had complaints of pain which appeared to include both her hip and her spine. Plaintiff’s argument was that the spine was the source of her pain, and not her hip, and therefore she did not need any hip surgery. The orthopedic surgeon testified in detail about the meticulous work up he performed, and the tests and studies he ordered in order to determine the source of the patient’s pain. It was only after multiple visits, many films, including x rays and MRIs, consultations with other physicians, and various injections that the orthopedic surgeon determined that hip osteoarthritis was the cause of the patients agony. Thereafter he performed a total hip replacement. Unfortunately, the prosthesis did not adhere properly and a revision surgery was successfully performed. The Delaware County jury found that the surgeon was not negligent and found in his favor.
