HIP REPLACEMENT," FOOT DROP", AND SPINAL CORD STIMULATION(SCS) : MARYLAND MED. MAL. ATTORNEY

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Definitions:
(1) "Foot Drop", sometimes called "drop foot", is a general medical term describing the difficulty a person has lifting the front part of their foot. Foot drop is not a disease. It is a sign of an underlying neurological, muscular or anatomical problem. If someone has foot drop, they may drag the front of their foot on the ground when they walk. Sometimes foot drop is temporary. Other times, it is permanent. Those who have foot drop may need to wear a brace on their ankle and foot to hold the foot in a normal position.
 (2) "Spinal Cord Stimulation" (SCS) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1989. Since then it has become a standard treatment for patients with chronic pain in their back and/or limbs who have not found pain relief from other treatments. It does not work for everyone.
In  spinal cord simulation (SCS), soft, thin wires with electrical leads on their tips are placed through a needle in the back of the patient near the spinal column. The leads are placed through a needle inserted in the back (no incision required). A small incision is then made and a tiny, programmable generator is placed in the upper buttock or abdomen (under the skin) which emits electrical currents to the spinal column.

Case Facts:
A patient had right hip replacement surgery. Post-surgery  the patient had pain and weakness in thee right lower extremity and was diagnosed with foot drop.  The patient was told that it would take a year or so for her affected nerve to repair itself and she was fitted with a brace. A year and a half later, the patient cannot walk without the brace and has severe pain and muscle atrophy. She is being offered pain management, including  spinal cord stimulation (SCS).

QUESTION  :  Medical malpractice ?
ANSWER  :  It depends.

EXPERT  ORTHOPEDISTS RESPONSES : 
   - " Foot Drop" is an accepted complication in this type of surgery, absent a showing of negligent technique.

   - Generally "foot drop" is an accepted complication of hip replacement surgery, unless accepted standards of medical practice for the surgery are violated

[ http://www.medquestltd.com/foot-drop-post-hip-replacement-surgery ]