DiscoverLearning from LawsuitsPatient Falls From Ladder on Knee--Discharged with “Muscle Tear”--Leg Amputated 3 Days Later
Patient Falls From Ladder on Knee--Discharged with “Muscle Tear”--Leg Amputated 3 Days Later

Patient Falls From Ladder on Knee--Discharged with “Muscle Tear”--Leg Amputated 3 Days Later

Update: 2025-04-29
Share

Description

In today's episode we discuss the story of a man who fell off a ladder, landed on his knee, and walked—or so he thought—into an ER for what seemed to be a straightforward injury. He was diagnosed with a muscle tear… but just three days later, he underwent an above-the-knee amputation.


What went wrong? Could it have been prevented? And most importantly—how do we as clinicians, nurses, and providers ensure we never miss something so critical in our own practice?


Let’s break down the timeline, the clinical decision-making, the communication gaps, and what this case teaches us about responsibility, humility, and patient safety.

Comments 
loading
00:00
00:00
1.0x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Patient Falls From Ladder on Knee--Discharged with “Muscle Tear”--Leg Amputated 3 Days Later

Patient Falls From Ladder on Knee--Discharged with “Muscle Tear”--Leg Amputated 3 Days Later

Learning From Lawsuits