Table 1: Summary of legal suits concerning joint arthroplasty in the state of california.

Surgery/Implant Type Complaint Outcome
Total knee arthroplasty of both knees      • Pain It was decided that the doctor complied with the standard of care
Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty      • Pain The judgement was initially made in favor of the doctor, then reversed on appeal
Knee arthroplasty surgery      • Damage to sciatic nerve causing foot drop The malpractice action was moved to compel arbitration
Total hip arthroplasty      • Numbness in both legs, pain, foot drop nerve irritation (neuropraxia) Verdict was in favor of the doctor
Knee arthroplasty      • Pain Verdict in favor of the doctor
Hip arthroplasty      • Sciatic nerve injury during surgery
     • Pain, numbness		 Ruled in favor of the doctor
Open reduction surgery on left hip and closed reduction on right hip for fracture, followed by another open reduction surgery on right hip and total knee arthroplasty on right leg      • Persistent pain and weakness in right leg and groin area The judgement was in favor of the doctor
Partial hip arthroplasty      • Rubber cap was left in patient’s hip socket The initial judgement in favor of the surgeon was reversed
Bilateral total hip arthroplasty      • Pain Judgement in favor of the doctor
Hip arthroplasty      • Residual physical problems (reason not specified) Doctor’s demurrer* was sustained, i.e. the complaint was insufficient to establish a valid cause of action
Total hip arthroplasty      • Wrongful death Ruled in favor of the defense
Total hip arthroplasty      • Pinched nerve causing drop foot The doctor’s demurrer was overruled, and an amended complaint was filed

* The term “doctor’s demurrer” is a response in which the defendant in a court proceeding states that, even if the facts in a complaint are true, they are insufficient to justify a valid cause for legal action.