Can I File a Lawsuit for Arthrofibrosis after Surgery?

As scar tissue builds up around a joint, there is a tightening of the joint that keeps it from moving with the full range of motion. This is why patients have trouble like bending their leg and lifting their arm in cases of arthrofibrosis following a surgical procedure.

Arthrofibrosis is most common in the knees, but other parts of the body may be affected as well:

• Patellofemoral joint
• Patellar tendon
• Iliotibial band
• Quadriceps muscles
• Quadriceps tendon
• Cruciate ligaments
• Hamstring muscles
• Transverse ligaments
• Posterior capsule
• Capsular pouches

Arthrofibrosis most commonly affects the knees, and many cases are due to buildup of scar tissue after knee surgery. Damage to the knees can happen quite easily from a slip and fall, being hit by a car, and other accidents due to reckless or careless conduct by another party. Indications of arthrofibrosis after knee surgery include stiffness, swelling, chronic pain, and impaired ability to straighten / bend the leg.

You may have heard of the medical condition known as “frozen shoulder,” and there’s a good chance that arthrofibrosis is the underlying cause. Patients who develop arthrofibrosis after surgery in the shoulder may experience inflammation and pain, along with reduced mobility in the shoulder joint.

Surgical procedures for a back injury can also lead to abnormal growth of scar tissue in the joint. While this is not uncommon among spine surgery patients, the symptoms can be agonizing and difficult to live with. Along with chronic pain, you will be significantly impaired in your ability to walk, stand for an extended period of time, drive a car, and many other tasks that are necessary to your daily life.

The hip is another area where you can suffer an injury to the joint. Following surgery to correct the problem, you may develop arthrofibrosis and find that you have swelling, pain, reduced movement, and other symptoms. Vigilance by your treating physician is crucial to detecting the signs of arthrofibrosis and ensuring that you start the recommended course of treatment right away.

The treatments you are prescribed by your doctor are based on numerous variables, like where the injury is located, how much tissue has built up, and the severity of your symptoms. For some patients, resting and using ice packs, along with anti-inflammatory meds may be enough. Other patients will need to have surgery to remove the scar tissue, which is known as an arthroscopy. In this procedure, the surgeon makes incisions into the skin and inserts a tiny camera and light into the joint. This allows them to see where the area of damage / abnormality is and make the necessary repairs.

Timely diagnosis and treatment of arthrofibrosis are essential to safeguarding your health and keeping the condition from damaging other parts of your body and causing permanent health issues, like damage to surrounding tissues and a weakened immune system. Here are some of the complications that are associated with lack of treatment for arthrofibrosis:

• Infections
• Dislocated joints
• Damage to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles
• Complex regional pain syndrome (chronic pain)
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• Synovitis
• Permanent disability

Yes, you may have grounds to sue for arthrofibrosis after a surgical procedure. To determine your rights and the best plan of action, make sure to contact a lawyer is experience in post-surgical complications.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to sue the person or entity that caused the accident. Perhaps you had a knee dislocation because of a trip and fall accident, which required you to have surgery. Afterwards, excess scar tissue formed around the joint, and you needed a second surgery to correct the problem. The added recovery time, medical treatments, therapy, etc., can be recovered from the negligent property owner, property management company, etc.

The other possibility is a lawsuit for medical malpractice against the healthcare provider. A malpractice claim can be filed if the surgeon failed to meet accepted medical standards during the surgery. But as we’ve said before, post-surgery arthrofibrosis is quite common, so the doctor may performed the procedure in a professional and responsible manner. However, your doctor must also monitor your progress and be vigilant for any signs that the recovery is not going according to plan. If they failed to provide adequate follow-up care that caused you significant complications from arthrofibrosis, this can also be used as the foundation of a medical malpractice lawsuit.

The legal experts at our office are ready to offer advice and guidance if you suffered needlessly from malpractice by a surgeon or ended up with arthrofibrosis after an accident. To see if we are the right firm to represent you, simply give us a call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are happy to offer you a free consultation, where you can learn more about the ways we can assist you.

When you choose to hire us for an accident case, you have the assurance of knowing that your finances are protected by the Zero Fee Guarantee. Under this policy, legal fees are included in the settlement you receive from the defendant. This is the only payment that’s owed to us, and that means you pay nothing in legal fees if we don’t obtain compensation on your behalf.

For a free case evaluation on your rights and legal options, please contact the personal injury lawyers of DTLA Law Group.

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