Michael Huber Receives Defense Verdict

Plaintiff was born with bilateral club feet. During her childhood and adolescence, she underwent several surgeries performed by Dr. Ibrahim at M&M Orthopedics, Ltd., to correct the condition. However, after each procedure, the right foot reverted to the club foot position. In 2005, Dr. Ibrahim referred plaintiff to Dr. Harris, a podiatric surgeon specializing in pediatric podiatry, for treatment of contracted toes on the right foot. Dr. Ibrahim and Dr. Harris decided to perform a joint surgery on plaintiff, during which Dr. Ibrahim would perform a mid-foot osteotomy and Dr. Harris would perform tendon transfers on toes 2 through 5. The surgery was performed on April 10, 2006 at Hinsdale Hospital. Approximately three days postoperatively, plaintiff exhibited signs of ischemia on the tips of toes 2, 3 and 4. By the next day, the ischemia on the tip of toe 3 had resolved. Plaintiff was discharged home on April 14, 2006. When plaintiff returned for a follow-up visit with Dr. Ibrahim on April 18, 2006, all of her toes were necrotic. Plaintiff was transferred to Loyola Medical Center for a consult with a vascular surgeon. Vascular testing revealed no blood flow in the forefoot. The vascular surgeon concluded that plaintiff’s toes were necrotic and recommended an amputation at the midfoot. Upon the advice of Dr. Ibrahim and Dr. Harris, plaintiff waited to see whether circulation would improve to the point that a greater portion of the foot could be salvaged. Two months later, plaintiff underwent amputation of toes 1 through 4 and the ball of her foot. Plaintiff contended that both physicians committed medical negligence in failing to test for, diagnose and treat ischemic necrosis of the foot caused by the surgery leading to the amputations.

-- The plaintiff was 15 years old when her foot was amputated. She is now in art school in New York.