Claims for failure to diagnose fractures
Fractures are common and, with medical and surgical assistance, the majority heal without problems or significant loss of function.
However, the delayed diagnosis and treatment of fractures can mean that complications arise with very serious consequences. These complications will vary with the particular fracture and from patient to patient. Spinal fractures and scaphoid fractures are considered below.
Failure to diagnose spinal fracture
Delayed diagnosis of spinal fractures can cause permanent disability. In 2009, the National Reporting and Learning Service (NRLS) identified 34 incidents where delay in diagnosis of a spinal fracture may have led to paralysis. For some, a diagnosis of spinal fracture was considered, but problems interpreting x-rays or accessing scans led to error. For others (especially older patients who had fallen at home), spinal fracture had not initially been considered - their symptoms attributed to possible stroke or head injury.
Failure to diagnose scaphoid fracture
Scaphoid fractures are regularly missed by medical practitioners and delayed treatment often leads to a sub optimal outcome.
A fractured scaphoid should be suspected in any fall on an outstretched hand and three or four x-ray views should be taken. Symptoms include:
- swelling and localised tenderness
- pain on dorsiflexion of wrist
- pain and weakness of grip
- pain over the anatomical snuff box
If a scaphoid fracture is diagnosed within four weeks, it should be treated by immobilisation in plaster for 6-12 weeks. If diagnosis is delayed, surgery is needed such as screw fixation, scaphoid debridement and bone grafting and, even then, there is the risk that the fracture will not reunite.
How we can help
If you have suffered complications due to the delayed diagnosis of a fracture, we may be able to help.
Making a claim
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