Orthopaedist rebuked over performing bunion surgery without informed consent

An orthopaedist has been issued a public warning letter and reprimanded by Hong Kong’s medical watchdog after performing an unconventional bunion surgery without a patient’s informed consent.The Medical Council on Monday found Dr Daniel Wu Yiang guilty of professional misconduct on four charges after the patient at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital underwent a syndesmosis procedure, a soft-tissue bunion surgery advocated by the doctor, without sufficient information about the operation or any alternatives for treating her left foot.The inquiry panel heard that the woman complained of left toe pain, swelling and a clawing deformity for months after her bunion surgery on November 20, 2018.The council issued the gazetted warning letter and reprimanded the defendant for inconsistent descriptions in his paperwork and for providing incomplete information for the patient’s insurance form and fee note.Wu is a registered orthopaedic and has been listed in the city’s Specialist Register for doctors since 1998.The doctor founded the Centre for No-Bone-Breaking Bunion Surgery in Causeway Bay and specialises in syndesmosis procedure research.