Patient sues surgeon over botched knee surgery

A Belleville patient filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against his knee surgeon, alleging he failed to properly align the knee components.

Kathy J. Johnson filed a lawsuit on April 1 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against James L. Rushford, D.O. and HSHS Medical Group, claiming negligence in an April 2013 surgery.

Johnson underwent a right total knee arthroplasty by Rushford on or about April 1, 2013 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. According to the complaint, the doctor negligently and carelessly failed to align the knee components correctly during implantation and to take x-rays.

The plaintiff informed to the defendant of symptoms of pain, tenderness, swelling and healing problems from April 12, 2013 until Feb. 5, 2014, according to the complaint. As a result, Rushford performed a second procedure on the plaintiff on Feb. 13, 2014.

The patient continued her treatment with the defendant until March 28, sought a second opinion and now alleges Rushford was medically negligent on several counts.

Johnson claims loss of a normal life, limited right knee function, lost income, medical expenses and financial hardship, disability, pain, distress, depression and anxiety.

Johnson seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorneys’ fees and costs. She is represented in the case by Keith Short of the Law Office of Keith Short in Edwardsville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-189