New research published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association revealed that misdiagnosed foot and ankle injuries can result in long-term issues, and any concern over a foot condition may be best handled with a second opinion or confirmation exam.
The study, led by a group of orthopedic surgeons, revealed that undiagnosed or misdiagnosed foot and ankle injuries can result in:
- Chronic pain
- Arthritis
- Long-term disability
Importance Of Correct Diagnosis
Researchers who worked on the study said getting the correct diagnosis as soon as possible can help ensure patients get the best care available to help them heal and prevent future issues.
“These types of trauma are a clinically significant source of morbidity and long-term disability among patients, not just those who are elite athletes,” Dr. Jessica Reissig, of the Department of Orthopedics at Plainview Hospital in New York and lead author of the study, said in a press release. “In many cases, the clinical symptoms are vague and tough to detect with standard imaging. As an osteopathic physician, I view treatment of foot and ankle injuries as acute and preventative care because a mismanaged injury leads to so many future problems for patients.”
According to researchers, more than 3 million people visit the emergency room each year because of a foot or ankle injury. Many times a mild ankle sprain can be managed with rest and ice, but other injuries won’t just get better with simple conservative care. Lisfranc injuries and turf toe injuries, for example, have a high risk of developing future arthritis, severe pain and long-term disability in the affected joint. To combat this problem, doctors should confirm their diagnosis with imaging tests if they are having questions, or patients should seek out a second opinion for their ankle injury
“Once the diagnosis is confirmed, in many cases patients can be offered a range of treatment options from conservative to surgical,” said Dr. Adam Bitterman of the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and co-author of the study. “Choosing the best treatment for the individual can prevent the injury from decreasing the patient’s future quality of life.”
So if you’re unsure about your diagnosis, or you simply want to ensure you’re getting the best care possible, contact Dr. Silverman’s office to set up an appointment to get a second opinion. It may just save you from a host of foot problems down the road.