Surgical Negligence Claims: Unnecessary hip surgeries performed on children in Dublin, Ireland

4 minute read

An independent medical audit has revealed that many young children may have undergone unnecessary hip surgery at two major Irish hospitals between 2021 and 2023.

Augustus Cullen Law specialise in Medical Negligence Claims and this report is a reminder of just how important it is for families to understand their rights especially when it comes to their children’s health.

If your child had a pelvic osteotomy at Temple Street Hospital (TSH) or the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC), this could affect you.

What is a pelvic osteotomy?

A pelvic osteotomy is a type of hip surgery often used to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), a condition where the hip joint doesn’t form properly. It’s a serious, invasive procedure usually done only when other treatments, like braces or casting don’t work.

Because of the risks involved, this surgery should only be done when absolutely necessary and based on specific clinical and imaging criteria.

What the audit found out about hip surgeries at Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Temple Street and Cappagh in Dublin

The audit looked at 147 sample cases of children who had this surgery across three hospitals.

The findings were stark:

• At Crumlin Children’s Hospital, 98% of surgeries were appropriate.
• At Temple Street, only 40% met the standard criteria.
• At Cappagh, just 21% were deemed necessary.

That means most of the surgeries at Temple Street and Cappagh may not have been justified by accepted medical guidelines.

Even more worrying:

• Some children had no history of hip dislocation or serious instability.
• Many surgeries were done on the basis of vague concerns like “clicky hips” or “asymmetrical thigh creases”.
• Some children were operated on without having had non-surgical treatment first.
• Bilateral surgeries (on both hips) were far more common than expected, despite only a third of DDH cases being naturally bilateral.
• Many children were discharged within a year of surgery, without follow-up into adolescence when long-term complications often appear.

Why this matters to your family and a consultation with a solicitor may be warranted

Hip surgery in young children is not a minor procedure. It involves cutting and realigning bones and the long-term outcomes aren’t always predictable especially when done without a clear medical need.

Possible complications include:

• Hip pain and impingement
• Problems with walking or running
• The need for more surgery later in life
• Early arthritis

The report also raised concerns about a “less invasive” surgery technique that’s relatively new and lacks long-term data. Parents weren’t always told it was experimental, which raises serious issues around informed consent.

If your child had hip surgery in Dublin, Ireland, you should seek advice from a solicitor

The audit recommends that all 497 children who had pelvic osteotomies at TSH and Cappagh between 2021 and 2023 should be recalled for independent review, including new X-rays and a full assessment.

As a parent, you have a right to know:

• Why the surgery was recommended
• Whether the proper clinical guidelines were followed
• If there are risks or complications that need monitoring now or in future

How our clinical negligence solicitors with experience in child hip claims can help

Our medical negligence solicitors have experience supporting families through complex healthcare issues like this.

We can:

• Request and review your child’s medical records
• Consult independent orthopaedic experts
• Determine whether the surgery was appropriate
• Help you understand your legal rights and options

If it turns out the surgery shouldn’t have been performed or if it caused complications, you may be entitled to compensation.

This could include compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Costs for follow-up treatment
• Impact on quality of life or future earnings

The audit made it clear, this is not about a single mistake or one-off case. It’s about a pattern of decisions that could have affected hundreds of children. These cases need proper review and families deserve clear, honest answers.

Child hip claims solicitors in Ireland

As a parent, it’s hard to hear that something so serious may have happened without your full understanding or consent. If your child had hip surgery at Temple Street or Cappagh between 2021 and 2023, we encourage you to Contact Us. Or visit Medical Negligence Claims to learn more.

We offer free, confidential consultations and will guide you through what to do next, whether you simply want reassurance or if you believe something went wrong and want to take action.

In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

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