Man Instructs Irwin Mitchell To Investigate Hospital Care

A man has spoken of his quest for answers after instructing specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate if he was fitted with an implant unauthorised for use in the shoulder joint.

Graham Baldry has suffered years of shoulder problems, including a number of dislocations, following injuries he sustained when he was knocked down by a car in 1998.

The 38-year-old from Wokingham, Berkshire, was asked to attend an appointment at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, where he was informed that it was suspected that the PEEK implant used, when he underwent shoulder replacement surgery in 2009, containing material that was unauthorised for use in the joint.

Expert Opinion

Graham’s shoulder problems have had a profound effect on his life and he struggles to carry out day to day tasks many of us take for granted.

“The first-hand account we have heard from Graham about how he has continued to experience difficulties is extremely worrying and we are now looking into these concerns.

“Through our work we know all too well the devastating effects medical errors can have on patients. If during the course of our investigations any failings in the care Graham received are identified, it is vital that the Trust learns lessons to protect patients in the future.” Matthew Gascoyne - Solicitor

Graham was referred to Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in 2007 following a series of other hospital appointments.

Following a number of procedures, Graham was advised in 2009 that a PEEK shoulder replacement would be his best option.

The surgery was performed in January, 2009 and Graham said he was informed the procedure had been a success. But just weeks after the surgery, Graham’s shoulder grew increasingly painful and his range of movement began to diminish. Six months later, Graham underwent surgery once more to have the implant  removed. He has had 6 shoulder operations and will require another 2 in the near future.

“The pain and discomfort in my shoulder has almost taken over my life. It’s difficult to put into words the challenges I face on a daily basis because of it and how what seems to be one medical appointment after another gets you down.

“I want to find out if the decision for me to have a PEEK implant was wrong and if it was, why it was deemed appropriate.  I just feel that I may have suffered years of unnecessary pain because of this.”

Polyaryletherketone – PEEK - implants have been used for traumatic, orthopaedic and spinal injuries since the 1980s.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling medical negligence cases.