Third Lawsuit Hits Mizzou Regenerative Medicine Center

A third person has filed a medical malpractice suit against University of Missouri’s Mizzou BioJoint® Center alleging a failed joint surgery and misleading advertising that allegedly failed to disclose that the procedure is “experimental” (plaintiff’s characterization).

The Mizzou BioJoint® Center offers patients unique biological treatments for knee, hip, shoulder, ankle and other joint problems. According to the Center, the scientists from the University of Missouri Health Center have developed surgical and non-surgical technologies that help protect and restore tendons, ligaments, cartilage, menisci and bone to improve joint function. According to its website, the BioJoint® Center offers alternative treatments to artificial joint approaches.

Ken Browne of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, consulted with James Stannard, medical director of Missouri Orthopaedic Institute operated by University of Missouri Health Care in October 2015. Stannard recommended that Browne receive treatment at the Mizzou BioJoint® Center and consider that approach instead of a standard knee replacement surgery.

The BioJoint® Center employs surgical and non-surgical approaches including patient-specific nutrition and exercise programs, individually designed physical therapy that includes biologic components such as restricted blood flow training, and/or platelet rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMC) injections.

The surgeries performed at the Mizzou BioJoint® Center include restorative cartilage, bone, meniscus, ligament and tendon procedures including cadaveric grafts.

Stannard performed surgery on Browne’s left knee in July 2016 and his right knee in August 2017.

Browne complained of pain and swelling in his knees after surgery. In April 2018, Stannard recommended that Browne receive standard knee replacement surgery. Browne filed his suit in July.

The other two suits were filed on behalf of Daniel Draper, an active-duty member of the U.S. Army who claims he can no longer live independently, and Amanda Reinsch, a former professional boxer and mother of six who claims irreversible and permanent damage to her left knee.

All plaintiffs are represented by Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader, a Kansas City law firm.

All three suits also name Stannard and James Cook, director of operation and scientific director of the center, as parties to the lawsuit.

Jesslyn Chew, spokesperson for MU Health Care’s BioJoint® Center at Missouri Orthopedic Institute, told OTW, “While we are unable to comment on this particular situation pending litigation, we are confident in the Mizzou BioJoint program and very proud of our outstanding team who provides treatment options to patients with knee, ankle, shoulder and other joint problems.”

Chew noted that the Missouri Osteochondral Allograft Preservation System technology that is used to preserve and verify the quality of grafts has been adopted by health systems across the country, and met the requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration, including sterility assessments by an accredited outside laboratory.