A MOTHER has been awarded more than £70,000 in compensation after she underwent the wrong spinal surgery and was left unable to pick up her own daughter.

The 31-year-old, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was left in constant agony after she had an operation on her back. It was later discovered she had devices inserted into her back that she was unaware of.

The former hairdresser had been suffering from back pain on and off for a couple of years, which worsened after the birth of her daughter in October 2009. After a bout of unsuccessful physiotherapy, her GP referred her to a spinal specialist at Nuffield Health private hospital.

The surgeon, Tai Friesem, sent her for a MRI scan and spinal x-ray and told her that she had a serious condition which required surgery. He recommended Dynamic Stabilisation surgery, stating it would give her more movement and would last for about 10 years.

The patient was transferred onto Mr Friesem’s NHS waiting list at North Tees Hospital.

On August 3, 2010, the patient was admitted for the surgery, under the impression it was to be carried out by Mr Friesem. It was actually performed by a Mr Reddy.

When she awoke from surgery she was in agony and required large amounts of morphine to cope with the pain.

The patient still experienced extreme nerve pain and she was unable to lift or hold her baby for several weeks. She suffered pains in her back and right leg and she fell down the stairs several times because her legs were so weak.

Two years later, she received a letter from the surgeon, Mr Reddy, which stated that she had undergone DIAM spacer insertion. The patient said: “This was the first that I had heard of DIAM spacers.”

In August 2012, she had the spacers removed and underwent a double spinal fusion.

The patient approached Fletchers Solicitors and in May 2014 she was awarded £70,000 from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust after it admitted liability.

She added: “This whole experience has had a drastic effect on my life. I struggle to pick up my daughter and require help getting her in and out of bed.

A spokeswoman for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are sorry for the pain and discomfort caused to this patient as a result of this operation and we hope the compensation she has received will help her and her family.”