Leg amputated due to failure to diagnose DVT

Delays in spotting a case of deep vein thrombosis cost a man his right leg.

Ernie is 70 years old with a history of circulatory problems. So when he noticed an intense pain in his right leg which quickly became severe he feared a thrombosis.

He saw his GP as soon as he could. But by then Ernie's right foot was white and his leg very cold. He also had no movement in his ankle. He told his GP that he though he had a thrombosis. But the doctor told Ernie to keep on taking painkillers and if it got worse to phone the emergency doctor or go to the hospital. The GP said he would refer him to a vascular surgeon.

Ernie's condition quickly worsened. He was taking the maximum dose of painkillers but they were having little effect. By the end of the following week he had difficulty moving. He was in a great deal of discomfort and could only drive a distance of about 2miles at a time which he had to do to get to the shops.

He phoned the GP that he had seen to find out what happened with regard to the referral to the vascular surgeon. The GP gave him the number of the vascular surgeon and told him to call himself. He did this but was told by the secretary that he shouldn't be phoning and that it was the doctor's place to do so. He then received a letter confirming his referral stating that it would be 4 weeks before he would be seen. It was now over a week since he first had the pain and he now had no feeling in his right leg.

Ernie became so concerned that he admitted himself to the local A&E Department. They carried out a scan which showed that two of the three arteries in his leg were blocked. He was prescribed Warfarin, a blood thinning agent. Several days later he was back in hospital to have further x-rays and during this time he developed a septic big toe. His next toe then became infected and whilst these were dressed daily at the surgery they were going black and becoming gangrenous.

Almost two months after his initial pain, he received a call from the vascular surgeon to say that they wanted to see him immediately. He underwent an angiogram but by now the first toe was completely black and he was told that it would have to be amputated. On investigation the hospital doctors decided that he would definitely need to loose several of his toes. His condition didn't improve and it was at this stage that it was suggested that he would need to undergo an amputation of his right leg.

The doctors who treated Ernie all expressed concern with regard to the fact that the GP hadn't diagnosed a deep vein thrombosis and urgently referred him.

Ernie is now in a nursing home. He has osteoarthritis in his right hip and has been fitted for prosthesis. Since the operation he has fallen over which has knocked his confidence and optimism. Ernie has learnt to walk again with his artificial leg but he is finding it incredibly difficult.

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