Table 1.
Malpractice suit case characteristics.
| Variable | No. (%) of cases |
|---|---|
| Mean age in yrs (±SD) | 52±11.2 |
| Age not provided (no.) | 2 |
| Sex of plaintiff | |
| Female | 10(25) |
| Male | 30(75) |
| State | |
| California | 11 (27.5) |
| New York | 6(15) |
| Virginia | 5 (12.5) |
| Texas | 4(10) |
| Pennsylvania | 3 (7.5) |
| Ohio | 3 (7.5) |
| New Jersey | 2(5) |
| Florida | 2(5) |
| Georgia | 2(5) |
| Michigan | 1 (2.5) |
| Illinois | 1 (2.5) |
| Profession sued (no. of cases) | |
| Orthopedic surgery | 26(65) |
| Nonsurgical | 14(35) |
| Procedure | |
| Rotator cuff repair | 40(100) |
| Complications* | |
| Pain and weakness | 26(65) |
| Limited ROM | 23 (57.5) |
| Death | 5 (12.5) |
| Nerve Damage | 4(10) |
| Other° | 16(40) |
*34 patients (66.7%) had multiple complications listed
°Infection (6), anoxic brain injury (2), axillary nerve damage, ruptured splenic artery aneurysm, unsterilized instruments, urinary tract infection, ptosis, humeral fracture, early arthritis, greater tuberosity avulsion, shoulder dislocation, coraclavicular ligament damage, hematoma.