Malpractice Litigation and Hindfoot Fusion

by Vince Vacketta, DPM

Medical malpractice litigation is an unfortunate aspect of any physician’s or surgeon's practice. Orthopedic surgery ranks second in frequency for medical malpractice, just behind neurosurgery. 

A recent retrospective cohort study by Megalla et al. reviewed medical malpractice claims associated with hindfoot arthrodesis over the past 36 years. The most common reasons for litigation were procedural/intra-operative errors, and the most common alleged damages were functional limitations.

On a positive note, the authors reported that defendants won nearly 75% of these cases.

Despite the sobering topic, this paper provides useful and informative information for practicing surgeons. It’s a recommended read for staying informed.