WINFIELD – A Putnam County woman says a physical therapist caused her injuries after a knee replacement.
Paula F. McKown and Edward McKown of Eleanor filed their complaint against Teays Physical Therapy Center Inc. in Putnam Circuit Court.
According to the complaint, Paula McKown had a total left knee replacement. Two days after the surgery, she began physical therapy.
One week after she began physical therapy, she had a session with Physical Therapist Assistant Daniel Shuler. During that session, she says Shuler failed to adequately control the amount of force used in performing knee flexion with her.
“Despite Ms. McKown complaining of increased pain and requesting that Mr. Shuler stop, Mr. Shuler forcibly continued with the knee flexion,” the complaint states. “During the knee flexion, a popping sound was heard and Ms. McKown was then not able to move her leg.”
The next day, an x-ray performed by her orthopedic surgeon showed a closed displaced transverse fracture of the left patella.
She says she was forced to receive additional treatment and continues to suffer from pain. She says she has a permanent limp and difficulty walking.
She says Shuler and the employees of Teays Physical Therapy Center deviated from the standard of care. She says she has incurred additional medical expenses, endured pain and suffering as well as mental anguish and a loss of ability to enjoy life.
Her husband sues for lack of consortium.
The couple seeks compensatory damages and other damages.
In its answer, Teays Physical Therapy Center denies the allegations and seeks to have the case dismissed.
The plaintiffs are being represented by Robert V. Berthold Jr. and Holly G. DiCocco of Berthold Law Firm in Charleston. The defendant is being represented by Lee Murray Hall of Jenkins Fenstermaker in Huntington.
Putnam Circuit Court case number 20-C-143