The foot is one of the most overlooked parts of the human body. After all, how often do you think about your feet unless they hurt? The feet bear the load of the entire human form, getting us where we need to go and providing balance, stability, and function. However, the foot, especially the Achilles tendon, also takes the brunt of the damage when we wear improper footwear or suffer an accident or injury. Surgery is often needed to repair an injured or ruptured Achilles tendon, but when a patient receives substandard medical care, the result can be devastating.
A failed Achilles tendon surgery can change your life, extend healing and recovery, and sometimes prevent you from fully enjoying the sports and activities you once loved. At The Law Firm of Lawrence M. Karam, P.C., in New York City, our podiatry malpractice team helps protect the rights of injured patients and hold careless practitioners accountable for their actions.
Contact our office today for a free case evaluation if you believe poor medical care resulted in a failed Achilles surgery in New York. Let’s sit down and discuss your legal options for recovering the compensation you deserve.
What Is the Achilles?
The Achilles is a tendon that runs through the back of the leg. Tendons are bundles of strong and flexible tissues that connect muscles to bones. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel or calcaneus bone. This tendon helps move the foot and ankle, making it possible for humans to walk, run, jump, and climb. It is considered the strongest and thickest tendon in the human body, and for good reason. This tendon support forces nearly four times a person’s body weight.
The Achilles tendon takes its name from a heroic figure from Greek mythology, the warrior Achilles, who was invulnerable to injuries except for a small spot on the back of his heel.
Common Achilles Tendon Injuries
As the largest tendon in the body responsible for supporting substantial forces, the Achilles tendon is vulnerable to overuse and traumatic injuries. Professional athletes tend to suffer the most from Achilles tendon injuries. Still, anyone can sustain an injury to this vital tendon, especially if they are active or have been involved in an accident.
Some of the most common injuries that affect the Achilles tendon include:
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Tendinitis
- Heel bursitis
- Haglund’s deformity
Most conditions require only rest, ice, and over-the-counter medication to help control pain and swelling and allow the body to heal. However, some injuries can be significant and require surgery. An Achilles tendon rupture is a tear in the tendon and one of the injuries requiring surgical repair. Overuse injuries and chronic tendinitis can also degrade the tendon to the point where surgery may be necessary to restore function and mobility and reduce pain.
Understanding Achilles Tendon Surgery
Achilles tendon surgery is reserved for significant cases of deterioration, tears, or severing of the Achilles tendon. During surgery, the podiatrist makes an incision in the back of the calf. They find the tear and stitch the tendon back together, or if the tendon has degraded, they can remove part of the damaged tendon and repair the remaining tissue with sutures. Depending on the damage to the tendon, tendon tissue from a patient’s other foot may be used to help repair or replace torn or degraded tissue.
A podiatrist may immobilize the area with a cast or splint to protect the surgical site and allow the tendon to heal. Patients should always follow their podiatrist’s instructions and avoid putting weight on the affected leg and foot.
Complications of Achilles tendon surgery can include:
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Damage to nerves
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Muscle weakness
Re-rupturing or damaging the tendon is also a risk following Achilles tendon surgery.
Achilles Tendon Surgery Malpractice
Medical malpractice is a highly fact-specific and nuanced area of New York law. If medical malpractice occurred, that means a podiatrist or medical practitioner provided a patient with substandard medical care. This means that the same result would not have occurred had a similarly trained physician treated the same patient in the same conditions.
There are several ways Achilles tendon surgery can go wrong and potentially trigger a medical malpractice case in New York. Some of the common failures or examples of patient care below the medically accepted standard can include:
- Anesthesia or medication errors
- Surgical errors
- Operating on the wrong foot or tendon
- Misdiagnosis
- Nerve damage
- Improper surgical techniques
- Improper sterilization of tools and equipment
- Improper wound treatment or post-surgical care
- Lack of informed consent
A failed Achilles tendon surgery can lead to significant consequences such as chronic pain, loss of mobility and function, and infection.
Compensation for an Achilles Tendon Malpractice Case
Patients injured by the actions of a negligent medical professional have the right to pursue fair compensation for their injuries. While the value of an Achilles tendon malpractice case fluctuates depending on the circumstances of the case, patients can generally pursue money for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
Fighting to recover compensation in a medical malpractice case can be an uphill battle. Insurers and medical professionals have vast resources to throw at the situation and may use strategies to get vulnerable patients to settle for less than they deserve. A podiatry malpractice attorney in New York can carefully review the facts of your situation and outline your legal options for recovering maximum compensation for your injuries.
Contact an Experienced New York Podiatry Malpractice Attorney Now
Do not wait to get the legal help and moral support you need to navigate this challenging time. At The Law Firm of Lawrence M. Karam, P.C., our podiatry malpractice team wants to help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries, stabilize your financial situation, and help you get back on your feet again.
Contact our New York office today to request a free case evaluation. We can find personalized legal solutions that address your unique situation.