Scenario 2

• A patient undergoes a bunion operation in which her big toe is straightened. She is told about the procedure to be conducted; that her foot will be immobilized in plaster for six weeks; and that she must ‘keep her foot up’. She is also told that she can start walking on her heel within three weeks. She is not told to exercise her foot and toes during this period. As a result she suffers from foot discolouration, circulatory problems and deep vein thrombosis which she was not warned about.

–Did her surgeon obtain an informed consent? Why or why not?

–Were the ‘material risks’ pointed out to her? Why or why not?