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Medical Malpractice Trends in Foot and Ankle Surgery.
Rishin J Kadakia1, Keith J Orland1, Akhil Sharma2
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
Summary
This study analyzed foot and ankle surgery malpractice claims from 2008-2018. Infections were the most common complication, with most claims involving forefoot surgery and favoring the defendant surgeon.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Medical Law
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Medical malpractice lawsuits impose significant burdens on healthcare providers.
- Orthopedic surgery is frequently implicated in malpractice claims.
- No prior studies have specifically analyzed malpractice lawsuits in foot and ankle surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate trends and patterns in medical malpractice claims within foot and ankle surgery.
- To identify common complications, anatomical locations, and case outcomes.
- To provide data for developing preventative strategies in foot and ankle surgery.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of medical malpractice lawsuits related to foot and ankle surgery was conducted.
- Data was extracted from the Westlaw legal database for cases between 2008 and 2018.
- Collected data included plaintiff demographics, geographic information, anatomical region, pathology, complications, and case outcomes.
Main Results:
- Forty-nine malpractice lawsuits were identified.
- The most common complication was infection (22%), and the forefoot was the most frequent anatomical site (29%).
- Most claims (73%) resulted in a ruling favoring the defendant surgeon, with a significant portion arising from nonoperative treatment.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to characterize malpractice claims in foot and ankle surgery.
- Infection and forefoot procedures are key areas of concern for malpractice litigation.
- Understanding these trends is vital for implementing targeted risk management strategies.
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