Frustration Over Medical Error: My Child's X-Rays Were of the Wrong Foot
[Patient: A healthy 2.5-year-old boy, average height and weight] I could really use some support right now. A couple of days ago, my toddler injured his foot while playing on a slide at the park. Since then, he hasn't been able to walk without pain or put weight on that foot, only managing to take a few steps at best. We visited his pediatrician, who performed an examination and concluded that the issue was with his left foot. She requested x-rays for that specific foot. After the x-rays were taken, the results indicated no fractures, merely suggesting a soft tissue injury that would require rest. However, after watching him struggle to move today, I've realized that he's actually favoring his left foot, while it’s his right foot that he's avoiding! They took x-rays of the wrong foot! 🤦♀️ As a parent, I feel absolutely devastated that this error occurred. I find myself overwhelmed with guilt for putting him through unnecessary radiation exposure. They captured around eight pictures of a foot that isn’t injured at all. The financial aspect—having spent $600 on those x-rays—feels secondary to the worry about the radiation and the continued uncertainty regarding whether there’s an actual injury. I'm feeling extremely upset and incompetent as a mother. Maybe someone could help me understand the radiation risk better? I’m really struggling with this situation.
Answers (1)
2/7/2026, 1:10:37 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm really sorry to hear about your child's situation. It's understandable to feel frustrated and overwhelmed, especially when it involves the health and wellbeing of your little one. Let’s break down the situation and address your concerns about the medical error and radiation exposure.
Main Points:
- Medical errors can happen, and it's important to focus on the next steps for your child's health and your concerns about radiation exposure.
- X-rays have a minimal risk of radiation, especially for healthy children, but addressing the possible injury is a priority.
Understanding Radiation Exposure:
X-rays do involve exposure to radiation, but the amount is very small. For a healthy child, the risk from a few X-rays is considered low compared to the benefits of accurately diagnosing an injury. In general, the radiation dose from a single X-ray of a foot is about 0.001 to 0.005 sieverts, which is much lower than daily radiation exposure from natural sources. The risk of developing cancer from this small exposure is very minimal.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your child's foot. Observe if he continues to avoid putting weight on it, experiences increasing pain, or shows signs of swelling or bruising that worsen over time.
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Rest and Elevation: Ensure your child gets plenty of rest and encourages him to keep his foot elevated when sitting or lying down. This may help reduce any swelling.
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Ice and Pain Relief: You can apply ice for 15-20 minutes several times a day to help with discomfort. Consult the pediatric guidelines for appropriate pain relief options, which may include acetaminophen if he is in pain, but always check with a healthcare professional for any specific recommendations.
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Follow-Up Care: Since an X-ray of the wrong foot was taken, consider discussing your child's ongoing symptoms with the pediatrician again, emphasizing your concerns about the right foot. You might need to request new imaging to ensure accurate diagnosis.
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Emotional Support: It's essential to acknowledge your feelings as a parent. Mistakes can happen in healthcare, and your focus on your child’s wellbeing is important. Connecting with other parents for support can be beneficial too.
Conclusion:
Please give yourself grace; you are doing your best for your child. Taking these next steps will help ensure you are addressing his needs effectively. If you have further concerns or questions, feel free to reach out.
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