AvMA case study: Rod's story

Summary

This article tells the story of Rod, who underwent a dorsal column stimulator implant for chronic pain in 2007. However, following surgery Rod realised something was wrong, and X-rays confirmed that the surgeon had applied the electrodes to the wrong side of his body, resulting in the need for several follow-up surgeries. This left Rod's chronic pain untreated, as well as giving Rod scarring, additional pain and mental stress. He has been unable to gain any financial compensation or admission of liability from the NHS Trust that made the error.