Spinal Surgical Errors

 Common Complications And Filing A Medical Negligence Claim

Spinal surgery is complicated and while most operations will go exactly as planned, there is always a risk of spinal surgical errors. Spinal surgery is generally carried out to relieve pan, correct a deformity or treat a serious condition.

If surgical error occurs, it can have a life changing impact on a patient’s life. It is important to remember that not every complication is a sign of medical negligence. But there are errors, such as operating on the incorrect section of the spine, which would be a red flag when it comes to medical negligence.

If your surgery went wrong and you suspect you have been a victim of medical negligence, it is advisable to seek legal opinion and Jefferies Claims may be able to help. We partner with highly experienced lawyers who work on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis.

Common Spinal Surgical Errors

Even the most skilled surgeons can make mistakes. Furthermore, when it comes to the spine, there is a very fine margin for error. . Here are some of the most common surgical errors:

Wrong Level Surgery

Imagine going in for an operation on your L4-L5 vertebrae, only to wake up and realise they operated on L3-L4 instead. This type of mix-up, known as wrong-level surgery may happen as vertebrae look so similar. This may happen if a mistake is made by marking the incorrect area before surgery.

Nerve Damage

Your spine is packed with nerves so unfortunately, even a minor mistake can lead to nerve damage. This may result in chronic pain, weakness, numbness, or even paralysis. In some cases, patients may develop cauda equina syndrome, a serious condition that requires immediate medical intervention.

Spinal Cord Injury

A slip of the scalpel damaging the spinal cord may result in severe harm. Even a minor nick may lead to long-term mobility issues, while severe damage may potentially  result in full paralysis.

Infections

Surgical site infections are a risk with any operation, they can be particularly dangerous if they affect the spine.

Implant or Hardware Failures

Many spinal surgeries involve implants like screws, rods, or cages. If these aren’t placed correctly, or fail due to poor surgical technique, they can cause a high level of pain and result in instability.

Excessive Bleeding

Bleeding during spinal surgery is expected, but excessive bleeding can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, leading to complications. Further to that, hematomas (pools of blood that collect outside of blood vessels) can compress the spinal cord. This situation would require emergency surgery.

Anaesthesia Errors

Anaesthesia is a critical part of any surgery, and mistakes in dosing or administration can lead to severe complications. In more rare instances, this may include a patient  waking up during surgery (anaesthesia awareness), while others suffer from adverse reactions or long-term damage.

Common Post-Operative Complications

Even if the surgery itself is performed correctly, complications can arise. Here are some of the most common post-op issues:

Chronic Pain

Surgery is meant to relieve pain, but sometimes it makes things worse. Nerve damage, scar tissue formation, or misaligned implants can leave patients in constant pain or discomfort.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)

This term refers to persistent pain following spinal surgery. FBSS can occur due to improper healing, nerve damage, or the wrong procedure being performed in the first place.

Loss of Mobility

Some patients find that after surgery, their range of motion is severely restricted. This can be because of surgical errors, excessive scar tissue, or nerve damage.

Blood Clots (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious risk following any major surgery such as spinal surgery. Blood clots may form in the legs and travel to the lungs. This has the potential to cause a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.

When Can You File a Medical Negligence Claim

When you have undergone spinal surgery, you will need to confirm what went wrong. This may include whether the surgeon operated on the wrong vertebrae, caused nerve damage or made another clear mistake. Other mistakes may be failure to obtain informed consent, or the standard of care was below acceptable level.

If post-operative complications were not diagnosed and treated in time, which led to further harm, you may also be eligible for compensation. This may include issues such as infection or blood clots.

Gather Evidence And Seek Legal Advice

If you think you have suffered from medical negligence, you will need your medical records and correspondence relating to your surgery. A second medical opinion may strengthen your case.

If you, or a loved one, has suffered from a spinal surgical error, Jefferies Claims can guide you through the process.

We work with highly experienced lawyers in this field who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis and we will give you the support and understanding you need at this difficult time. Call us at 0333 358 3034 or visit Jefferies Claims Contact Us Page to learn more.