Expert Witness Case Review: Compartment Syndrome
Case:
A 17- year-old was injured while playing indoor soccer. He presented to the ER with a broken left and underwent surgery the same night. He began complaining of pain, numbness, and burning to the leg after discharge but was discharged home. Six days later he returned to the hospital with worsening symptoms including extreme pain, and tenderness to the leg, and was diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome. The plaintiffs suffered a complicated course due to the delay in diagnosis, required twelve additional surgeries, and were left with permanent disabilities.
Veredict:
$111 million dollars total verdict
$1 million in past and future medical expenses
$10 million for past pain and suffering
$100 million for the future pain and suffering
Missed Diagnoses:
Delays in diagnosis and treatment are the most common reason for long-term disabilities. Over 30% of patients with acute compartment syndrome have a delayed diagnosis, resulting in a delayed surgical fasciotomy (more than 8 hours after the onset of symptoms). Over 77% of patients report a permanent disability as a result of delayed compartment syndrome diagnosis. Common disabilities include permanent weakness, contractors, chronic pain, and difficulty walking.
Case Statistics:
Historically, plaintiffs have been successful in 56-77% of claims, with 27-56% of claims resulting in settlement over the trial. 68% of trials were won by the defendant.
By Vipul Kella, M.D., MBA. FACEP [1]
What Causes Acute Compartment Syndrome (ACS)?
ACS is a medical emergency and is often the result of a traumatic injury, such as a fracture; severe muscle bruises; injuries that crush part of the arm or leg; serious burns; or complications during surgery.
Without treatment to relieve the pressure of ACS, muscle and nerve tissue may be cut off from their blood supply. Without oxygen and nutrients, muscles and nerves may stop functioning or die. In severe circumstances, there may be so much tissue damage that doctors need to amputate the affected limb.
Is There a Quick and Non-Invasive Diagnostic Test for ACS?
No. The current standard solution is an invasive needle to measure the intramuscular pressure.
The invasiveness of the needle has often deterred practitioners from using the device. There have been no technological developments in detecting ACS in the last 35 years, which has forced practitioners to rely on their clinical suspicion alone.
You can watch this video to see the invasive medical device being used:
Clinical suspicion supplemented by careful, repeated clinical examination continues to be the clinician’s greatest tool in the diagnosis of ACS. Traditional teaching emphasises ‘pain out of proportion to the injury’ as a cardinal symptom. Pain has a negative predictive value of 98%, but a positive predictive value of only 14%.[1] Pain is subjective, making the diagnosis more difficult. In the late stages, pain can be diminished due to paraesthesia/anaesthesia resulting from nerve ischaemia and there are some rare cases of ACS present in the absence of pain.
Are there any new solutions coming to maket any time soon?
Yes! An exciting innovation after 30+ years. Aspire MedTech is changing the standard in Compartment Syndrome monitoring and here’s why you should pay attention. They have partnered with NASA to use technology for non-invasive monitoring of astronauts’ intracranial pressure. They are prepared to market the first-ever non-invasive medical device for monitoring of at risk patients of Compartment Syndrome.
Why it Matters?
Every minute counts. Aspire’s system helps medical professionals make informed decisions faster and with confidence, without needles.
What are Some Key Benefits?
- Non-Invasive Device (First of its kind)
- Continuous Monitoring
- Minimally Trained Personnel
- Potential for Early Diagnosis
- Potetial to Avoid Malpractice
What are doctors saying?
“Medical providers have a critical need for a noninvasive, highly accurte, liability limiting device for continuous monitoring of at risk limbs.”
Steve Topper , MD Orthopaedic Surgeon, Hand and Reconstructive MicroSurgeon
Feel free to contact us on the link below to learn how Aspire is making a difference.
Website: aspiremedical.ai
You can also send any questions to info@aspiremedical.ai
For investor relations contact Tanna Donalson, CEO @ Aspire MedTech, Inc.
Email: Tanna@aspiremedical.ai
P: +1 405 820 7731
