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  4.  | While Recovering from Knee Surgery, a Man Develops a Decubitus Ulcer on His Right Heel due to Improper Nursing Care

While Recovering from Knee Surgery, a Man Develops a Decubitus Ulcer on His Right Heel due to Improper Nursing Care

On Behalf of | Mar 1, 2016 | Medical Malpractice

Our client was a very active 82 year old man. He enjoyed working outdoors and spending time with his family. Due to a degenerative condition, he elected to have a total right knee replacement. The surgery was performed successfully and our client was placed in rehab for physical and occupational therapy. He was placed on a calf pump and range of motion exercises. The range of motion exercises caused a pressure blister to develop on his right heel. Six days after his surgery, our client complained of pain in his right foot. The nurses assessed his foot and documented that his foot was swollen and bruised on the top. Two days later, our client’s physician ordered a right heel boot and noted a blister on his right heel.

Soon thereafter, our client was noted to have post-surgical psychosis and was transferred to the psych ward of the hospital. The initial admission nursing assessment made no note of the blister on our client’s right heel. There were, if fact, no notes about the blister for the entire 11 day period that he was in the psych ward. Even though it was noted that his leg was checked multiple times, his right heel wound was never treated. This neglect caused our client a great deal of pain and suffering.

The medical review panel ruled in favor of our client on this case. The panel stated that the neglect of the hospital to assess and treat the blister on his right heel ultimately led to a deep and painful pressure wound. This caused his knee surgery recovery to be complicated as he could not walk until the pressure wound healed. Todd Townsley, through the use of expert witness testimony, was able to favorably settle this case for our client and his family.

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