Charcot Foot Diagnosis Delayed
A failure to diagnose charcot foot can result in debilitating and, potentially, shocking effects on the patient. Even a delay in diagnosis can allow the condition to deteriorate and reduce the chances of recovery.
Charcot foot
When a patient develops charcot foot, the bones, joints and soft tissue in the foot weaken but the patient, who is likely to be suffering with nerve damage and loss of sensation in the foot, is not aware that this is happening and continues to walk on the foot. This can ultimately lead to a collapse of the middle of the foot and irreparable damage.
The patient's foot can become deformed and the patient can suffer severe disability. In extreme circumstances where continued use of the foot leads to the development of an ulcer, the foot can become gangrenous and need to be amputated.
Diagnosing
Charcot foot tends to occur in patients who have loss of sensation due to another condition, often in patients who are diabetic.
Therefore, patients who attend their GP with the symptoms of charcot foot who are known to be diabetic, should alert the medical practitioner to the possibility of this diagnosis.
Symptoms of charcot foot include the following:
- Redness of the foot
- Swelling of the foot
- Warmth of the foot
A failure to refer a patient exhibiting these symptoms for further tests and x-rays may be considered to have been negligent.
If the patient's condition deteriorates as a result and the patient is subsequently left with a long-term disability, it may be appropriate to pursue a claim for compensation.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering with the long-term, disabling impact of charcot foot due to a delay in recognising the implications of your symptoms, contact us to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
A compensation award can help you to deal with the physical, social and emotional impact of your distressing condition.
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