A MAN from Wokingham has spoken out after discovering he was fitted with a shoulder implanted which was potentially unauthorised for use.

Graham Baldry, 38, has suffered years of shoulder problems, including a number of dislocations, since being knocked down by a car in 1998.

In January 2009 he underwent shoulder replacement surgery at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust where he was fitted with a polyaryletherketone implant, known as a PEEK implant, and was told the procedure had been a success, but just weeks after the surgery, Graham's shoulder grew increasingly painful and his range of movement began to diminish.

Six months later, Graham underwent further surgery to have the implant removed. In total, he has had six shoulder operations, and will require another two in the near future.

Graham has since discovered that the PEEK implant contained material that was potentially unauthorised for use in the shoulder joint.

He said: "The pain and discomfort in my shoulder has almost taken over my life. It’s difficult to put into words the challenges I face on a daily basis because of it and how what seems to be one medical appointment after another gets you down.

“I want to find out if the decision for me to have a PEEK implant was wrong and if it was, why it was deemed appropriate. I just feel that I may have suffered years of unnecessary pain because of this.”

Graham has now instructed a medical negligence lawyer to investigate his case.

Matthew Gascyone, from Irwin Mitchell said: "Graham’s shoulder problems have had a profound effect on his life and he struggles to carry out day to day tasks many of us take for granted.

“The first-hand account we have heard from Graham about how he has continued to experience difficulties is extremely worrying and we are now looking into these concerns.

“Through our work we know all too well the devastating effects medical errors can have on patients. If during the course of our investigations any failings in the care Graham received are identified, it is vital that the Trust learns lessons to protect patients in the future.”

A spokesman for the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust said: “We are sorry that our patients have had this experience while under our care. The RNOH is committed to openness, transparency and improving the quality of care for all of its patients and we are working to ensure that lessons are learned from this case.”