WRONG DIAGNOSIS: I recently saw a foot and... - Pain Concern

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WRONG DIAGNOSIS

Imagine1 profile image
17 Replies

I recently saw a foot and ankle specialist at my local hospital, he examined my foot and ankle and has told me that I have a torn plantar plate which showed up on an MRI scan I had done 2 years ago. I have only just been told about this in a letter that came this morning. This needs an operation on it because it is a serious condition if left untreated. The problem is I haven't been offered an operation just a referral to a pain management specialist, how is this going to help me? I was told that the only thing I had was Osteoarthritis in my big toe joint, nothing else. So again I had been walking on a broken ankle and a torn plantar plate, without knowing about it. I have recently started a new job where I just work weekends, I can't work any longer due to my foot. I just hope that I can carry on working and my foot doesn't get worse. I wonder to myself s there anything else I need to know which they haven't told me about. The injury was 4 years ago and I am still struggling to walk. Thank you for reading this.

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Imagine1 profile image
Imagine1
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17 Replies
cyberbarn profile image
cyberbarn

I am so sorry that they have neglected actually checking what was wrong with your foot. But I am glad that at least you have a better idea of what is going on inside. I know you have been to the ombudsman and solicitors before, but I wonder if again because they have only just now disclosed to you the results of the MRI which should have been treated then, whether you would have any claim.

It might be worth talking to PALS as they should be able to refer you to an advocacy group that might help. But also if this needs surgery, they should be able to put the pressure on the specialists to get that surgery.

And maybe the pain clinic might be able to put pressure on things too. You now have a clear physical reason for the pain, so they shouldn't fob you off with only psychosocial treatments.

Oh, this is the patient advocacy in my county, I wonder if there is a similar one in yours.

pohwer.net/gloucestershire

Imagine1 profile image
Imagine1 in reply to cyberbarn

Aww thank you for your reply. The problem with seeing a solicitor now is that the time limit has exceeded and nobody will take the case on. I will contact PALS though. In the past they have not helped me at all but I will try again. I was hoping that I didn't have Complex Regional Pain syndrome and they got that wrong too, but I have all the symptoms of this so at least they got that right. No help to me at all though. x

LancashireLad1 profile image
LancashireLad1

Hi , same here i got wrong diagnosis after a accident and only 13 years later i got the proper diagnosis of Cervical Myelopathy and not CRPS but it was to late for me after 2 operations and it's left me disabled.

Imagine1 profile image
Imagine1 in reply to LancashireLad1

Aww I feel so sorry for you, it is disgusting how they can get away with it. At present I have to have another assessment for my PIP that I get, my condition has got worse but because I have no evidence of this, how can I when the hospital have discharged me, they don't believe me, One benefit has already been taken off me a work related one, which I am appealing to get back, so now I think they will stop my PIP and then I will have to appeal for that back too and it is always at Christmas time when they stop it. It makes me sick. We don't ask to be ill and disabled. It was incompetence from the NHS that I am left like this. x

LancashireLad1 profile image
LancashireLad1 in reply to Imagine1

I will give you some advice because i have been in your shoes mine was a work accident and i got a pay out on the wrong diagnosis, i then went to the hospital who misdiagnosed me through PALS who are for the hospital and not you well that's how it felt to me , I asked for the Dr's to be there but only one came and it was supposed to have been taped but i was told two days later after the meeting that the tape failed in other words they ushed it up because they knew mistakes had been made. But if you have been misdiagnosed i don't think there's a time limit like there is on accident related which is 3 years but if you have a meeting through PALS make sure you tape it . On PIP i got it for high care and mobility after appealing it and industrial injuries which took a while i got it increased. So don't give up and good luck.

Imagine1 profile image
Imagine1 in reply to LancashireLad1

It was ESA that they took off me, I get Industrial Injuries already on a higher rate. I certainly won't give up. x

Batty1 profile image
Batty1

You need this fixed this isn’t something that can be ignored or misdiagnosed any longer your tendon will shrink eventually if it already Hasn’t … this is how you flex your foot no wonder you can’t walk …. Throw a fit and fast and don’t take no for an answer… what a tragedy these bozos have created for you … so sorry

You could tape your foot for now go to YouTube and look up taping a plantar fascia tear or something like that .

footcaremd.org/conditions-t...

Imagine1 profile image
Imagine1 in reply to Batty1

Thank you for your reply, I have caused umpteen hissy fits and they still don't care, they think it is a mental health issue rather than a medical one. It has took 4 years to tell me that I now have a tear. Absolutely ridiculous. x

Batty1 profile image
Batty1 in reply to Imagine1

I don’t understand the barbaric way medical professionals sometimes treat people with real life health problems… I think we can all right a chapter in a book about how horrendous we have been medically treated…. Look at the article I attached earlier and look up taping your foot and yes I can hear you saying you shouldn’t have to look up or try taping but you also shouldn’t have been left to suffer either but they let that happen… Taping could be helpful until you get this resolved I think sadly because you have been left for so long misdiagnosed and emotionally abused by these people the damage to you foot plate might never be 100% pain free even with surgery… sad truth!

Imagine1 profile image
Imagine1 in reply to Batty1

Thank you for replying to me, You are right I could write a very thick book about the diabolical care that I received or didn't in my case. I have looked at the article and I will try taping as long as I can get my shoe on. I can't believe I haven't been offered any surgery for my toe, probably because of the waiting lists but that isn't my fault. The caring profession my arse. Sorry for the rude word but it is how I feel. x

Xene profile image
Xene

Hi, I feel as confused as you are. I would write a letter to the specialist asking him for clarification. In his opinion does your foot need surgery, if not why not etc.? I know how hard it is to do battle with the nhs, banging your head against a brick wall springs to mind. I do hope you get some answers to your questions.

Imagine1 profile image
Imagine1 in reply to Xene

Aww thank you for your reply. Every time I see a specialist I get told something different. I personally don't think they know what is wrong with my foot? I have more idea than them. When I broke it it didn't heal properly but they won't admit to not giving the correct care, I never got Physiotherapy which has made my foot very stiff and as for my toe it looks deformed but again they don't know what is wrong with it. So they just say anything, which doesn't help me at all. x

Xene profile image
Xene

Unfortunately I know exactly what you mean. There’s obviously a reason why they’re not considering surgery but whether or not you’ll be told is anyone’s guess. The thing is when we’re being fobbed off and don’t know it or even if we do it still can be a minefield. I once had to go privately just to get a consultant to believe in me. It’s a sorry state of affairs but you have to keep fighting. I wish you luck as you’re going to need it and more besides.x

LancashireLad1 profile image
LancashireLad1

I tried to get compensation from the NHS but it's very hard because Dr's don't like to go against each other, my surgeon apologised to me when i met him as i had living time bomb in my neck and had to have operation immediately, i told him its not his fault and since i have had to have 2 operations or i would get worse as it's left me with Cervical Myelopathy.

Imagine1 profile image
Imagine1 in reply to LancashireLad1

You are right, it is so hard to get compensation from The National Hopeless Service, It took me 3 years with a solicitor to be told that they have admitted it and I would receive £30,000, to be told a week later that they didn't admit it and I would be getting nothing at all. I can't understand how they can do that but they did. Everything was in writing so the doctor couldn't say he hadn't said that, so putting things in writing is a waste of time. x

LancashireLad1 profile image
LancashireLad1 in reply to Imagine1

If you have it in writing the hospital cannot change the records as long as you have a copy , what they used to do was leave a gap in medical records so they could add whatever they wanted in case they made a mistake. I left the UK because i was let down by the system , hospital, benefits etc .

Imagine1 profile image
Imagine1 in reply to LancashireLad1

How right you are, very crafty aren't they? I don't blame you leaving the crappy UK. I hate it here myself. We are hoping to move to Wales soon, when we sell our house that is. Thank you for the advice.

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