Forensic analysis of medical malpractice claims in major joint dislocations: retrospective analysis of 64 cases.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Forensic Medicine, Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, Bilecik-Türkiye.
- 2Council of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice, İstanbul-Türkiye.
- 3Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, İstanbul Medeniyet University, İstanbul-Türkiye.
- 4Councik of Forensic Medicine, Alanya Directorate, Antalya-Türkiye.
- 5Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul-Türkiye.
Abstract
Background
The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of medical malpractice claims related to major joint dislocation cases.Methods
Our database was used in the study to analyze major dislocation cases involving medical malpractice that were closed between 2018 and 2024. A complete and detailed dataset was collected for each case. This included information such as patients' demographics (age and sex), the specific anatomical location of the dislocation (ankle, knee, hip, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and acromioclavicular joint), the underlying cause of the dislocation, rationales for the claim, complications, and unique characteristics of each case.Results
This retrospective study analyzed 64 cases of major joint dislocation referred to the Council of Forensic Medicine between 2018 and 2024. The mean age of patients was 30.21±15.3 years, with 60.9% being male and 39.1% being female. Upper extremity dislocations accounted for 78.1% of cases, with the elbow being the most common site. Patients were treated at university hospitals (12.5%), education and research hospitals (57.8%), and private hospitals (19.7%). Complications were observed in 50 patients (78.1%), with restricted joint mobility being the most common complication. The most prevalent complaint was delayed diagnosis (37.5%), followed by inappropriate postoperative management and negligence. The board deemed 35.9% of cases as malpractice, with a significant association between conservative treatment and malpractice. In 22 cases with malpractice rulings, the physician was deemed culpable, whereas in one case, malpractice was assigned to a healthcare worker.Conclusion
The primary causes of malpractice claims in major joint dislocation cases were delayed diagnosis and inadequate postoperative care. Conservative treatment was associated with high rates of medical malpractice. To reduce the risk of medical malpractice, it is necessary to standardize early diagnosis methods and ensure comprehensive postoperative follow-up.
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BibTeX
@article{atan2026forensic,
title = {{Forensic analysis of medical malpractice claims in major joint dislocations: retrospective analysis of 64 cases.}},
author = {Yusuf Atan and Muhammed Fatih Yaman and Ibrahim Uzunlu and Huseyin Cagri Sahin and Muhammed Oduncu and Mehmet Ali Yıldız and Mustafa Bilal Ceylan and Serkan Bayram},
journal = {Ulusal travma ve acil cerrahi dergisi = Turkish journal of trauma \& emergency surgery : TJTES},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.14744/tjtes.2026.25500},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42841889},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Forensic analysis of medical malpractice claims in major joint dislocations: retrospective analysis of 64 cases.
AU - Yusuf Atan
AU - Muhammed Fatih Yaman
AU - Ibrahim Uzunlu
AU - Huseyin Cagri Sahin
AU - Muhammed Oduncu
AU - Mehmet Ali Yıldız
AU - Mustafa Bilal Ceylan
AU - Serkan Bayram
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Ulusal travma ve acil cerrahi dergisi = Turkish journal of trauma & emergency surgery : TJTES
DO - 10.14744/tjtes.2026.25500
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42841889
AB - Background The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of medical malpractice claims related to major joint dislocation cases.Methods Our database was used in the study to analyze major dislocation cases involving medical malpractice that were closed between 2018 and 2024. A complete and detailed dataset was collected for each case. This included information such as patients' demographics (age and sex), the specific anatomical location of the dislocation (ankle, knee, hip, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and acromioclavicular joint), the underlying cause of the dislocation, rationales for the claim, complications, and unique characteristics of each case.Results This retrospective study analyzed 64 cases of major joint dislocation referred to the Council of Forensic Medicine between 2018 and 2024. The mean age of patients was 30.21±15.3 years, with 60.9% being male and 39.1% being female. Upper extremity dislocations accounted for 78.1% of cases, with the elbow being the most common site. Patients were treated at university hospitals (12.5%), education and research hospitals (57.8%), and private hospitals (19.7%). Complications were observed in 50 patients (78.1%), with restricted joint mobility being the most common complication. The most prevalent complaint was delayed diagnosis (37.5%), followed by inappropriate postoperative management and negligence. The board deemed 35.9% of cases as malpractice, with a significant association between conservative treatment and malpractice. In 22 cases with malpractice rulings, the physician was deemed culpable, whereas in one case, malpractice was assigned to a healthcare worker.Conclusion The primary causes of malpractice claims in major joint dislocation cases were delayed diagnosis and inadequate postoperative care. Conservative treatment was associated with high rates of medical malpractice. To reduce the risk of medical malpractice, it is necessary to standardize early diagnosis methods and ensure comprehensive postoperative follow-up.
SN - 1306-696X
SN - 1307-7945
ER -