If you’ve suffered a diabetic foot amputation due to poor medical care, a delay in diagnosis or a failure to follow NICE guidance on diabetic foot management, you may be entitled to compensation. Understanding diabetic foot problems Living with diabetes comes with many challenges — one of the most serious being the risk of diabetic foot ulcers and amputations. High blood sugar can damage nerves and blood vessels over time, and this results in a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. This damage means patients may lose feeling in their feet and have poor circulation. As a result, even a small blister, cut, or sore can quickly turn into a serious infection. Without fast and appropriate treatment, these infections can get worse, and in some cases can lead to partial or full foot amputation. When a diabetic foot ulcer is not treated appropriately or promptly, the condition can quickly deteriorate. Infection may develop, and if healing does not occur, this can ultimately lead to the need for amputation. How diabetic neuropathy can lead to amputation Diabetic neuropathy causes: Numbness – this means sometimes injuries can go unnoticed for periods of time, which can result in delayed treatment Reduced blood flow – wounds heal slowly; diabetic ulcers need careful monitoring and management to try to ensure healing does take place, however slowly. Foot deformities – such as claw toes or Charcot’s foot can occur, which increase pressure on areas of the foot and in turn, increase ulcer risk. If infections are not identified and treated promptly, they can spread to bone and tissue. In severe cases, amputation becomes the only way to stop the infection and save the person’s life. When does poor medical care cause harm? Sadly, amputations often happen because healthcare professionals fail to meet expected standards of diabetic foot care. We often see examples of poor management which include: Failure to recognise or diagnose early signs of infection. Delays in referring patients to a specialist diabetic foot clinic. Inadequate or incorrect wound management. Poor patient education about daily foot checks and footwear. Lack of follow-up after ulcer treatment. These failings can allow small, treatable wounds to progress to serious infections and, ultimately, amputation. The role of the diabetic foot multidisciplinary team (MDT) Under NICE Guidance (NG19), all diabetic patients with a new or deteriorating foot problem should be referred within one working day to a specialist multidisciplinary foot care team. This team may include: Podiatrists Diabetes consultants Vascular surgeons Orthopaedic surgeons Specialist nurses The MDT provides coordinated care — assessing circulation, treating infections, and ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time. Delays or a failure to refer to this team may be classed as negligent medical care if they lead to amputation that would otherwise have been avoided with prompt treatment. The key issue is recognising the additional risk a diabetic patient faces with what might otherwise be considered a low risk injury The importance of diabetic education and follow-up People living with diabetes should receive clear advice on: How to inspect their feet daily. Which warning signs to look out for (e.g. redness, swelling, or discharge). How to choose safe footwear. When to seek urgent medical help. Unfortunately, many patients are not given this information or are told their ulcers will “heal on their own.” Without proper education and follow-up appointments, ulcers can worsen unnoticed and then when they do receive adequate treatment and onward referral to the diabetic MDT, it is too late for healing to happen. This can lead to a recommendation for amputation if an infection is established. When you may have a diabetic negligence claim You may be entitled to make a medical negligence claim if your amputation or serious foot complication resulted from: A delay in diagnosis or referral to the diabetic foot team. Failure to follow NICE guidelines for diabetic foot care. Inadequate treatment, monitoring, or wound management. Failure to inform or educate you about foot care and warning signs. Compensation can help you cover: Pain, suffering, and loss of amenity. Prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation. Loss of income and independence. Adaptations to your home or mobility support. How our medical negligence solicitors can help If you’ve suffered a diabetic foot amputation or ongoing complications due to poor care, or have concerns about the care you have received, our specialist medical negligence solicitors can help you get the answers and justice you deserve.
