University of Missouri settles knee surgery lawsuit

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri has settled several lawsuits over its "BioJoint" knee surgeries for a reported $16.2 million.

The lawsuits involved 13 cases and 22 plaintiffs, MU Health Care said in a statement. The BioJoint surgeries involve the use of cadaver knee tissue in a procedure that was developed in part by a veterinarian. Plaintiffs in the suits alleged the surgery was experimental, but that they were not told that before going under the knife. Some said they required more surgeries and in some cases knee replacements.

MU Health Care said in the statement that the university denied liability "and the settlements were made to avoid the delay and expense of further litigation."

"We are confident in the expertise and dedication of our staff and the innovative, science-based services offered by the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute and the Mizzou BioJoint program," MU Health CEO Jonathan Curtright said in the statement.