Footlaw

Complications from a callus injection

2011-02-25T14:50:00.001-08:00

Hearing of ulcerations (wound) following an alcohol injection into a callus

Post op Pain Pumps

2010-11-03T10:07:00.001-07:00

Hearing of a lot of post operative issues from post-op pain pump usage.

Reader Comments

2010-10-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

I read your site and it is unbiased the "achilles heel" of podiatry.
I made a site http://www.nypodiatry.com

http://www.footorthopedist.com

http://www.footphysician.org

http://www.pecosregistration.com

many sites promoting the song "podiatry music (fictional)"
hopefully defendatn (sic)plaintiff attorneys will realize not to give any
weight to
podiatry residency training that is outdated and unrelated to current
competence.

I used fictional classifying my music to insulate myself from any
potential lawsuits.

If you have any podiatrists as clients who are not residency trained,
perhaps the music
at http://www.nypodiatry.com may hopefully make them feel better.

Name Withheld by Moderater

class 1984
NYCPM

Survival Rate: Amputation vs Breast Cancer

2010-05-13T04:53:00.000-07:00

Footlaw.com has recently learned that the 5-year survival rate following a non-traumatic lower extremity amputation (e.g., secondary to diabetic infection/wound) is WORSE (lower survival) than the 5-year survival rate for the much publicized breast cancer.

The 5-year survival rate following non-traumatic lower extremity amputation is only 40% (i.e., 60% of the people who have a non-traumatic lower extremity amputation will die within 5 years).

See: http://www.apligraf.com/professional/wound_facts_and_prevention/aboutDFU.html

The 5-year survival rate for Stage 0 to Stage 3 breast cancer ranges from 100% survival to 56% survival (the Stage 4 5-year survival rate is only 18.6%)

See: http://www.nortonhealthcare.com/body.cfm?id=202

This poor survival rate following non-traumatic amputation is under reported in the media.

BLOOD CLOTS -- DVT and PE

2010-05-03T07:45:00.000-07:00

2010 UPDATE: Footlaw has identified (1) Blood Clots; (2) Deep Vein Thrombosis; and (3)Pulmonary Embolism as emerging quality of care issues:

SEE: http://blog.footlaw.com/p/blood-clots-dvt-and-pe.html

Recent article on diabetic wounds and risks

2010-04-28T07:47:00.001-07:00

See:

http://abh.com/downloads/ABH_OWM.pdf

SOME STATISTICS FROM THIS ARTICLE:

“The annual incidence rate for foot ulceration is 1% to 6.84% in individuals with a lifetime risk of 15% to 25%”

“Approximately 15% of DFUs [Diabetic Foot Ulcers] results in lower extremity amputations.”

“…patients with diabetes and a history of DFU [Diabetic Foot Ulcer] had a 47% increased risk of mortality…”

“Five-year mortality rates after lower extremity amputation (LEA) range from 50% to 76%”

Article on diabetic wound care

2010-04-09T10:26:00.001-07:00

See:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/980315ap/armstron.html

Amputation Settlement

2010-04-08T04:09:00.000-07:00

NEVADA: Negligence Of Podiatrist And Support Staff Result In Partial Foot Amputation

Confidential Settlement:

The podiatrist, after performing foot surgery, allowed her support staff to see the patient for post-operative office visits as well as her own examinations. The office personnel applied a much too constrictive post-operative bandage which compromised the circulation of the foot. Despite seeing the podiatrist several times thereafter, the circulation problem was never diagnosed until gangrene developed. The patient underwent further surgery by subsequent doctors including partial foot amputation.

Recently Declined Case

2010-04-04T07:21:00.000-07:00

Footlaw.com recently declined to accept a case involving chronic ankle pain. Review of the records showed that the patient had prior ankle arthroscope procedure; an open ankle procedure for osteochondritis desicans; a third procedure involving removal of ankle bone spurs; and a fourth surgery of replacement of the ankle joint with a cadaver ankle. Despite the injury, footlaw.com could not find deviation from the standard of care. The opinion of footlaw.com was that the condition was a result of a chronic degenerative process and not medical negligence.

Injured from cold therapy??

2010-03-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

Mechanical Cold Therapy After Surgery

There has apparently been an increase in the number of foot and leg amputations resulting from cold therapy after surgery.

You may have seen ads on TV regarding cold therapy injury

Ice, when appropriately used, after surgery and injuries remains the standard of care. There have always been instances of patients failing to obey instructions and developing frostbite with improper ice use.

Recently, machines are being prescribed for cold therapy after surgery, replacing traditional ice therapy. Reportedly, such machines are causing frostbite and circulation problems which result in amputation.

If you or a loved one has suffered with a MAJOR complication from mechanical cold therapy after foot surgery, the attorneys listed on this web site will be happy to review your medical records and let you know whether they can assist you.

Wound Care and Amputation

2010-03-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

2010 Update: Footlaw.com has identified improper care of wounds – diabetic and non-diabetic – resulting in amputation of the foot or leg as an emerging quality of care issue in medicine.

Scranton podiatrist admits filing phony claims for Medicare payments

2009-02-19T06:52:00.000-08:00

"At a plea hearing Tuesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Kosik-Whitaker said the doctor filed claims with Medicare between January 2003 and June 2008 and was paid for services he never provided. In court paperwork, Dr. Rittenhouse is accused of claiming to have performed nail avulsions, a procedure in which a toenail is removed, but actually just provided 'routine foot care.'"

Source: Erin L. Nissley, The Times-Tribune [2/18/09]

External Frame/Fixator Surgery

2009-02-15T04:08:00.000-08:00

Footlaw.com has learned that malpractice cases relating to foot or leg surgery using external frames or external fixators is becoming an emerging trend in foot malpractice cases. Since this is an emerging issue, we have added this as Number 11 on our "Top Ten" list to the right.

Melanomas

2009-02-11T17:00:00.001-08:00

Footlaw.com attended a medical meeting this week and learned that 50% of amelanotic melanomas are misdiagnosed. This adversely affects the survival rates

Cosmetic Foot Surgery

2009-02-09T12:21:00.000-08:00

Footlaw.com has been contacted by a national magazine regarding a developing story concerning issues surrounding cosmetic foot surgery

ProAssurance Receives Regulatory Approvals for Transactions with the PICA Group and Georgia Lawyers Insurance Company

2009-02-05T06:46:00.000-08:00

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ProAssurance Corporation (NYSE: PRA) announced today that all required regulatory approvals have been granted in connection with its proposed sponsored demutualization of the PICA Group (PICA), the nation's leading provider of professional liability to doctors of podiatric medicine. The proposed demutualization is being submitted to PICA shareholders for their approval at a special meeting to be held on March 31, 2009. If approved, the transaction is expected to close early in the second quarter.

[Source: Streetinsider.com, 1/29/09]

Doctor Liable For Not Providing Sign Language Interpreter

2009-02-03T05:34:00.000-08:00

Doctor Liable For Not Providing Sign Language Interpreter

A punitive damages verdict is enough to catch anyone's attention. But a verdict for punitive damages in a disability discrimination case can be a double whammy for physicians. Since such claims are not covered under traditional medical liability insurance, any judgments would come out of doctors' own pockets.

That is exactly what befell New Jersey rheumatologist Robert A. Fogari, MD, when a Hudson County jury in October 2008 unanimously handed down a $400,000 award against him for allegedly refusing to pay for a sign language interpreter for a patient who is deaf. Half of the award was for punitive damages.

The verdict is believed by some legal experts to be among the largest of its kind, and has many physicians fearing it will set a dangerous precedent and prompt similar litigation.

Source: Amy Lynn Sorrel, AMNews [1/5/09]

From PM News 1-12-09

NEW FOOT MALPRACTICE BLOG

2009-02-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

The podiatrist attorneys at the Footlaw Group announce the start of their blog dedicated to malpractice associated with the foot and ankle.