This case involves a fifty-two-year-old female patient who, following a knee arthroplasty, resulted in foot drop. The plaintiff initially presented to her orthopedic surgeon with osteoarthritis and the decision was a total knee replacement. During the procedure, a prosthetic was implanted as well as a TED stocking, to enhance circulation, prevent blood clots, and the use of anti-clotting medications. She used the stocking on for three days and on the third day; she complains that her foot was immobile. The resident who observed her that day believed that her foot drop was due to peroneal nerve damage. The resident informed the doctor and he ordered the resident to take off the stocking immediately, which he did not. The next day, the doctor observed the patient and saw that the stocking was still on and took it off. The plaintiff now has permanent nerve damage, where she has to wear a brace that fixes her foot in a position to allow her to walk. The plaintiff believes the TED stocking injured her nerve causing the foot drop and that it was not handled correctly, as to the timeliness of removing the stocking as well as the actual fit.
