Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week is taking place between 20 – 26 May 2024. Diabetes UK are partnering with the NHS during this annual awareness week, and this year they aim to shift the focus away from individual responsibility and call on the government to take action to help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A man with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, caused by obesity, twisted his ankle. It was a minor sprain that, in the absence of diabetes, would have resolved quickly.
The ankle became extremely swollen, and he was in extreme pain. He attended his local Accident and Emergency Department and explained his medical history. He was sent for x-rays, diagnosed with a sprained ankle, and was discharged without further treatment. Crucially, the temperature of the foot was not taken, and no further offloading advice was given. He was not invited for further follow up x-rays or review.
The pain and swelling worsened, and the shape of the foot altered. After trying to manage the symptoms for 3 weeks, he returned to his Accident and Emergency department. Again, he was reassured. He remained in pain, unable to bear weight, and therefore sought a private consultation. Within 4 weeks of the injury, the architecture of his foot had significantly altered. He had a further x-ray and was diagnosed with Charcot Arthropathy.
Charcot foot is a serious foot complication that both diabetic patients and clinicians must be aware of. It can be difficult to deal with but having treatment as early as possible can reduce the risk of further problems, like developing a foot ulcer, or permanent changes to the architecture of the foot, which may result in the need for amputation.
Due to the delay in diagnosis, and the fact he had been bearing weight on his foot for a month, he suffered ulceration to the foot due to the change in architecture of the foot. Once diagnosed, he was given an air boot, but the damage was too significant to undertake surgery to the foot to repair the bony damage.
Whilst the doctors tried to manage his condition, unfortunately, the leg became so damaged that he suffered sepsis and required an above the knee amputation.
If he had been diagnosed promptly, he would have immobilised his foot and had an air boot, whilst maintaining his type 2 diabetes, resulting in a good recovery and avoiding the ulceration and amputation.
Following his amputation, he managed to get his diabetes under control, lost a significant amount of weight, and went into remission. Whilst he was unable to prevent his diagnosis, he engaged in a healthy lifestyle, motivated to ensure that he avoided further complications of the condition.
How can we help?
If you think that you may have suffered an avoidable delay in diagnosis of diabetes or Charcot, or poor management our specialist medical negligence team can help.
While no amount of compensation can make up for a life changing injury or the loss of a loved one, we can assist by investigating what happened and help by providing answers. If liability can established, we can recover compensation for the pain and suffering, as well as loss of earnings, aids and equipment such as prosthetics or specialist orthotics, care and adaptation costs.
Our specialist team have many years of experience helping those affected by the management of diabetes.
Diabetes and Charcot Arthropathy Claims | Medical Negligence Solicitors | Tozers LLP
