A 37-year-old woman from Bath has been awarded £32,000 after undergoing an unnecessary thumb operation due to a series of medical errors at the Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH). Initially misdiagnosed with a ruptured thumb ligament following a fall during a rugby match, she experienced conflicting advice and treatment from hospital staff—including an unusual assessment by a knee surgeon rather than a hand specialist.
After her injury, she was first told she might have a broken thumb and was sent home with a splint. Days later, X-rays revealed no fracture, and she was referred to a supposed hand specialist—who turned out to be a knee surgeon. His assessment was the only accurate diagnosis: soft-tissue damage expected to heal over time.
Despite this, her pain and swelling worsened. A month later, she was told she needed surgery. The operation was initially canceled, then rescheduled. When the surgery finally took place, it was abruptly halted because doctors realized mid-procedure that surgery was unnecessary.
READ MORE: School Once Rated ‘Inadequate’ Now Celebrated as a Thriving Learning Environment
READ MORE: Weston-super-Mare and Other UK Seaside Towns Face Threat of Submersion by 2050
Post-operation, she suffered ongoing pain, bruising, and swelling, alongside sensory issues in the scar tissue that impaired movement in her right arm. A physiotherapist later diagnosed her with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a chronic pain condition sometimes triggered by surgery.
The NHS Trust initially denied full liability but eventually acknowledged the surgery should never have taken place. They agreed to a £32,000 compensation package.
The woman expressed frustration over the ordeal: “My thumb isn’t what it was, and I guess it will never be the same. I went back to work three months later but still don’t understand why it took so long to diagnose properly. To this day, I don’t even know what happened to my hand. I’m worse off now.”
She also praised Hudgell Solicitors, who supported her through the legal process: “Hudgells have been brilliant from start to finish. I’m relieved this chapter is over, though it’s changed how I live.”
Associate solicitor Shauna Page described the case as “a long-running and difficult fight for justice” and criticized the care received: “It took a knee surgeon to correctly diagnose what was a hand injury—a bizarre sign of the ongoing errors. We hope the Trust reinforces the importance of second opinions before surgery.”
An RUH spokesperson acknowledged the patient’s ongoing pain and the complexities in diagnosing ligament injuries. They accepted the expert’s conclusion that surgery was unnecessary and expressed regret for the patient’s suffering.