Charcot foot, or diabetic foot, is a serious condition that can affect people with diabetes. Symptoms can include warmth to the touch, redness, pain and swelling.
People with diabetes can be vulnerable to developing nerve damage (or neuropathy) in the feet, which can reduce the feeling of pain and can disguise a serious injury. Diabetes can also limit blood flow to the feet, making it harder for an injury to heal and may lead to infections. In very rare cases, if the problem is left untreated, that person may need an amputation.
Because of the high risks involved, people with diabetes are often seen regularly by their doctor and by a podiatrist. It is essential that medical experts are alert to these risks so that they can act quickly if something is wrong.
In a recent case of ours, our Client attended A&E with swelling and bruising on her foot following a couple of minor traumas, which she had suffered with for 4 weeks. The A&E doctors knew she had diabetes and that she had peripheral neuropathy. Despite this, the doctor failed to carry out a full assessment of her foot and failed to recognise the risk of Charcot foot. Our Client was sent away without treatment and she then continued to walk on her foot, which, unbeknown to her, made the problem worse. Sadly, she went on to develop Charcot foot, causing serious injury and leading to very significant, life-changing mobility problems.
In this case, we obtained evidence that the medical care our Client received fell below a reasonable standard. She should have been referred urgently to the Diabetic Foot Clinic, or at least to the Fracture Clinic for treatment. If so, she would not have suffered such severe foot damage.
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