By Kate Pickles Health Correspondent For The Daily Mail
Published: 14:56 GMT, 12 February 2019 | Updated: 16:57 GMT, 12 February 2019
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Thousands of patients who had surgery on broken bones face further treatment after it emerged some were fitted with the wrong type of metal plate.
Hospitals have been ordered to review the X-rays of around 5,500 patients treated with plates for the fracture of long bones, such as arms and legs, in the past year.
The NHS and British Orthopaedic Association announced a national review after it was revealed seven patients at one trust had flexible plates, designed for reconstruction, inserted rather than rigid ones.
Two of the cases involved patients falling, causing the plate to buckle and meaning they needed further operations to correct the injury.
Another patient needed additional surgery after their plate failed when they were having post-operative physiotherapy.
Thousands of patients who had surgery on broken bones face further treatment after it emerged some were fitted with the wrong type of metal plate (stock)
Patients at the unnamed trust were not treated by the same surgeon, leading to fears the mistake may be more widespread.
Officials estimate most of the 141 NHS trusts in England will have performed the procedure for long bone fractures such as the forearm, thigh bone (femur), upper arm bone (humerus), or shin bone (tibia).
They have until May to review patient X-rays to check the wrong plates have not been fitted.
Any affected patients will be contacted by their hospital to
