"Discharged with a Lisfranc Injury that was missed"

In the early hours of the morning recently, I suffered a syncopal episode in my bathroom at home as a result of vomiting and diarrhoea. Upon falling from standing height, I twisted my foot and was unable to weight bear. An ambulance was called and I arrived at St George Public Hospital about an hour later.

Upon being admitted to the ED, I was treated for my dehydration and also sent off for an X-ray. The ED doctor examined the X-ray and I was told that there was no apparent fracture and to continue RICE treatment at home. I was then discharged in the morning. I was not offered crutches at this time, nor, I believe, was the Orthopedic Registrar consulted before my discharge.

In the morning two days later, I got a call from someone who said they were a doctor from St George Public. This doctor advised that my X-Ray from my ED visit shows that I have a fracture and that I should see a GP to get a referral for a CT scan. 

I tried to call back and get in contact with the doctor who spoke with me to no avail. I wanted a copy of the radiology report and X-ray as I did not want to unnecessarily expose myself to further radiation in a CT scan if it was not necessary. No one could tell me which doctor called me and I was denied speaking with a Dr from the ED. After a few unhelpful phone calls, I was finally put through to Radiology. Radiology explained that I needed to physically come back into the hospital to acquire the X-ray images on a CD. As I was immobile, my husband acquired these on my behalf along with the report. 

Upon showing the X-Ray to an Orthopedic Doctor friend, I was told that the X-Ray is pathognomonic for a lisfranc injury and that it was a textbook case of a lisfranc injury. I was also told that upon showing this X-Ray to other doctors, they could easily see it. I have also been told that I will more than likely need surgery. 

Upon hearing this, I am baffled as to how the ED doctor missed this, or at the least, did not consult with the Orthopedic Registrar before discharging me. I have been told that this should have been common practice in the ED, if not in the early hours of the morning, then at least later on in the morning. 

I am also baffled as to how it took a whole 48 hours later for someone to contact me from the hospital to advise me that I did, in fact, have a fracture. After discussing this with family members who are doctors, and my Orthopedic doctor friend, we are of the belief that there should be a system review on how overnight patients are followed up.