THE TYPE OF CASE WE DO

Aged 9 J injured dislocated her left elbow in a fall.

The disclocation was reduced under anaesthetic and J's elbow placed in plaster.

On review fracture was identified and open reduction and internal fixation undertaken.

During the operation the median nerve became caught in the fracture site.

J suffered from reduced sensation in her fingers and reduced movement.

Five months after the initial operation J's wound was reexplored, the entrapped nerve identified and freed.

J suffers from long term reduced grip strength, loss of sensation in her thumb and fingers, loss of dexterity, inability to make a full fist, and reduced extension.

It was J's case that with proper care the median nerve would have been identified and either entrapment avoided or the nerve freed before damage.

It was J's case that due to the failure to identify entrapment of the median nerve the nerve was permanently damaged leading to long term reduction of left hand function.

Compensation was agreed at £45,000 without trial.