Diabetes affects blood vessels and can impair the delivery of blood to all parts of the body like the eyes, kidneys, legs, and feet. Diabetics are especially prone to develop foot complications such as neuropathy, vascular disease, and injury. Doctors caution diabetic patients to make foot care a part of the daily routine: to watch for cuts or unusual marks; to keep the feet clean and moisturized, and to control blood sugar levels. The goal is to promote circulation and never to impair it. Healthcare providers must aggressively treat signs of circulatory problems in the feet of diabetic patients. Wounds must be cleaned and debrided when necessary. IV antibiotics may need to be used and patients may need to be admitted to the hospital for observation and treatment. Wraps, like ace bandages and casts, must not be applied too tightly and must be removed periodically for foot care and inspection. Improper foot care can lead to amputation of the foot or even the lower leg.
Because diabetics are at high risk for foot problems, it can be difficult to prove that amputation was necessitated by medical negligence rather than the natural course of the disease. Our nursing and legal staff can sort through your medical records to determine whether healthcare providers rendered substandard care. We will consult with expert witnesses to figure out whether poor care led to an amputation.
If you are diabetic and have undergone amputation, do not assume that it was unavoidable or that you ‘don’t have a case.’ Keches Law Group has successfully resolved medical malpractice cases on behalf of diabetic clients.
