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Foot and ankle conditions can be painful and limiting. When a diagnosis doesn’t explain your symptoms or treatment only makes things worse, it’s natural to feel frustrated about your condition and wonder whether there’s anything you can do. Diagnostic errors in podiatry are more common than many patients realize, and they can delay healing or lead to unnecessary procedures.
What Are Some of the Most Common Misdiagnoses in Podiatry?
Because many foot and ankle disorders share overlapping symptoms, a misdiagnosis can delay proper care or cause long-term harm. Some of the most commonly misdiagnosed or overlooked podiatric conditions include:
- Gout Misdiagnosed as a Sprain – Gout often presents as sudden, severe joint pain with redness and swelling. It may mimic a soft tissue injury like a sprain, especially if there’s no history of gout. Without proper testing, patients may be sent home with ice and rest instead of medication to manage uric acid buildup.
- Osteomyelitis Missed Entirely – This bone infection can be subtle at first, but becomes serious quickly. Symptoms may include deep or persistent pain, fever, and swelling. It’s sometimes confused with diabetic neuropathy or soft tissue infections, delaying urgent treatment.
- Stress Fractures Mistaken for Plantar Fasciitis – Without imaging, ongoing heel or arch pain may be labeled as plantar fasciitis. Stress fractures need rest and sometimes immobilization. Without it, they may worsen or develop into complete breaks.
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Misread as Sciatica – This nerve entrapment causes burning, tingling, or shooting pain in the foot and ankle. If symptoms radiate, it may be attributed to a back issue, leading to unnecessary spinal evaluations instead of local nerve testing.
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Overlooked in Foot Pain Cases – Poor circulation may be mistaken for musculoskeletal discomfort. Missed PAD can result in ulcers, infections, and even limb loss if not caught early.
- Charcot Foot Undiagnosed in Diabetic Patients – This serious complication causes joint disintegration and foot deformity. Early symptoms can resemble a sprain or cellulitis. If not recognized promptly, deformities can become permanent and disabling.
Red Flags Podiatric Patients Should Watch For
If you’re seeing a podiatrist and your condition is either not improving or getting noticeably worse, it’s worth questioning whether the original diagnosis was correct. Certain signs may point to a misdiagnosis or missed condition that deserves further investigation. Watch out for the following possible red flags:
- Worsening pain despite following treatment instructions
- New or spreading swelling, redness, or warmth
- Persistent numbness, tingling, or burning sensations
- Foot deformities developing over time
- Sores, ulcers, or infections that don’t heal
- Being given conflicting diagnoses by different providers
- No imaging or lab tests ordered despite serious symptoms
- Lack of improvement after weeks or months of care
Do You Have a Valid Malpractice Claim?
Not every podiatric mistake rises to the level of malpractice. A valid claim requires showing that the podiatrist failed to meet the standard of care and that this failure caused you harm. Inaccurate diagnoses, delayed referrals, failure to order imaging, or ignoring test results may all be evidence of a provider’s negligence. Malpractice claims may also stem from surgical errors, misreading X-rays, or prescribing inappropriate treatments that worsen the condition.
If a reasonable podiatrist would have taken different steps – and those steps would have avoided injury or even lessened the chance of the injury occurring – you may have grounds to pursue a malpractice case against the provider or their employer. An experienced attorney can review the facts and help you understand your legal options.
Contact a New York Podiatric Malpractice Attorney Today
If you visited a podiatrist for a foot or ankle injury or condition and a diagnostic error made the problem worse, you may be entitled to compensation for your expenses and personal losses. Contact The Law Firm of Lawrence M. Karam, P.C., today to discuss your case with an experienced New York podiatric malpractice attorney and learn more about your rights and options for pursuing justice.