Prosthetic device was aligned 18 degrees off center, suit claims

A man filed a lawsuit Aug. 21 against Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Physicians and one of its doctors, alleging his knee surgery was botched.

The lawsuit, filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court, alleges Dr. Gregory Simmons performed a revision of left total knee arthroplasty on Billy Brauer on Aug. 25, 2005.

However, after consulting with another physician on Oct. 13, Brauer claims he discovered he had been the victim of alleged malpractice.

Simmons "negligently and carelessly performed a revision left total knee arthroplasty, such that the prosthetic device was aligned 18 degrees off center," the suit states.

Because of Simmons's mistake, Brauer was forced to undergo another, corrective surgery, according to the complaint. He also suffered permanent pain, mental anguish, disability and disfigurement, has been prevented from attending to his usual duties and affairs, lost wages and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

In the two-count suit, Brauer is seeking a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs.

Thomas Q. Keefe Jr. of Belleville will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-444.