Plastic cap left in boy's knee after operation

Kumarie, right, has received compensation after a plastic cap was left in his knee during surgery

A teenager has received compensation more than a decade after having a piece of plastic left in his knee during an operation.

Kumarie was just four years old when a 2cm-long plastic needle cap was left inside his knee, following surgery at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The 14-year-old, from Erdington in the city, said the mistake had physical and emotional consequences and spoke of how his joints hurt when he moved.

A hospital spokesperson apologised and said it had implemented changes to help prevent it from happening again.

A needle cap, measuring about 2cm long, was discovered in an X-ray

Kumarie underwent an operation after falling on glass while playing with his brother and sister in 2015.

His mother, Michaela, said she raised concerns following the procedure but was repeatedly fobbed off, before an X-ray eventually revealed a needle cap.

"It was a literal lump hanging right here on his knee," she said.

"I don't even know how they missed it."

Kumarie, who is now aged 14, said he was still feeling the impact of the mistake.

"I can't run like the pace I want to, because every time when I try and do it... it hurts. So I have to slow down for it to ease the pain," he said.

"I just feel degraded."

The teenager underwent surgery after falling on glass in 2015

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust said: "We have apologised to the patient and family, and following the incident over a decade ago, have implemented changes to help prevent something like this from happening again.

"The safety of our patients is our utmost priority and we remain committed to learning and improving to provide the highest standard of care."

Following the incident, Kumarie needed a second operation, which led to a delayed recovery as well as muscle weakness and long-term movement issues.

The family has now received compensation from the trust.

"In my mind I'm like really mad," Kumarie added.

"I just don't really see the reasoning why they just didn't listen."

Michaela is urging parents who find themselves in similar situations to trust their instincts.

"If you go to a hospital as a parent and your instincts and beliefs are telling you to do something, go ahead and do it," she said.

"You know best as a parent."

Kumarie had the operation when he was four years old