Mentioned in this article - Life Spine, Smith and Nephew, Wright Medical, Biomet, DePuy-Synthes, NuVasive, Orthopaedic Implant Co, Consensus Orthopedics
Injuries mount as sales reps for device makers cozy up to surgeons, even in operating rooms (Modern Healthcare)
Cristina Martinez’s spinal operation in Houston was expected to be routine. But after destabilizing her spine, the surgeon discovered the implant he was ready to put in her back was larger than he wanted to use — and the device company’s sales rep didn’t have a smaller size on hand, according to a report he filed about the operation.
Dr. Ra’Kerry Rahman went ahead with the operation, and Martinez awoke feeling pain and some numbness, she alleges. When Rahman removed the plastic device four days later and replaced it with a smaller one, Martinez suffered nerve damage and loss of feeling in her left leg, she claims.
Martinez is suing the surgeon, implant maker Life Spine Inc., and its distributor and sales representatives, alleging their negligence led to her injuries because the right part wasn’t available during her first surgery. All deny wrongdoing. The case is set for trial in November.
The lawsuit takes aim at the bu...
