A 37-year-old woman from Bath has been awarded £32,000 in compensation after undergoing an unnecessary thumb operation caused by a series of medical errors at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH). Misdiagnosed with a torn thumb ligament following a fall while watching rugby, she endured conflicting advice and ultimately had surgery that was stopped midway when it was discovered she didn’t need it.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, described her ordeal as “a nightmare from start to finish.” Initially treated at A&E for a suspected broken thumb—blackened and severely swollen—she was sent home with a splint. A few days later, the hospital determined the thumb was not broken and referred her to a hand specialist. Shockingly, the specialist was actually a knee surgeon who correctly identified only soft-tissue damage.
Despite this, worsening pain and swelling led to a recommendation for surgery. The operation was postponed and eventually performed, only for medical staff to halt the procedure upon discovering it was unnecessary. Post-surgery, she suffered ongoing pain, bruising, swelling, and sensory issues affecting her right arm. She was later diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a chronic pain condition often associated with surgical trauma.
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The NHS Trust initially denied full responsibility but later agreed to the compensation after expert reviews confirmed the surgery should not have taken place. The woman expressed frustration with the care she received, saying, “My thumb isn’t what it was, and I guess it will never be the same… To this day, I still don’t have a clear understanding of the original injury. I’m worse off now because of the surgery.”
Her legal team, Hudgell Solicitors, praised the resolution but emphasized the lasting impact on their client. Associate solicitor Shauna Page highlighted the unusual nature of the case, noting that it was a knee surgeon who made the correct diagnosis and criticizing the Trust for the series of missteps. She urged the NHS to implement stronger protocols for second opinions when surgery is in question.
An RUH spokesperson apologized for the patient’s prolonged pain and acknowledged the complexity involved in diagnosing ligament injuries. They reaffirmed their acceptance, based on independent expert advice, that the surgery was not necessary but underscored that surgical decisions always involve weighing risks against benefits.