Peripheral artery disease affects millions of Americans, yet this serious circulatory condition frequently goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed by healthcare providers. When doctors fail to recognize PAD symptoms or mistake them for other conditions, patients face increased risks of heart attack, stroke, limb amputation, and death. The consequences of delayed or incorrect diagnosis can be devastating for patients who depend on timely treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.
At Davis & Davis, we represent patients throughout Houston who have suffered harm due to medical professionals’ failure to properly diagnose peripheral artery disease. Our diagnosis error attorneys understand the complex medical issues involved in PAD cases and work diligently to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable for their diagnostic failures.
What to Know About Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, typically the legs. This condition develops when fatty deposits build up in artery walls, creating blockages that limit circulation. PAD often indicates similar problems throughout the circulatory system, including the arteries supplying the heart and brain.
Early symptoms may include leg pain during walking, cramping in the hips or calves, and coldness in the lower leg or foot. As the condition progresses, patients may experience pain even at rest, wounds that heal slowly, and changes in leg color or temperature. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, PAD can lead to critical limb ischemia, requiring amputation to prevent life-threatening infections.
The condition affects approximately 8.5 million people in the United States, with risk factors including diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, and advanced age. Despite its prevalence and serious consequences, studies show that PAD remains underdiagnosed, with many cases going undetected until complications develop.
Common Diagnostic Failures in PAD Cases
Healthcare providers may fail to diagnose peripheral artery disease through various oversights and errors. Many doctors attribute leg pain to normal aging, arthritis, or muscle strain without conducting appropriate vascular assessments. Some providers focus solely on immediate symptoms without considering the broader cardiovascular implications of PAD.
Failure to obtain adequate patient history represents another common diagnostic error. Doctors may not ask specific questions about walking tolerance, leg pain patterns, or family history of vascular disease. When patients describe intermittent claudication, providers sometimes dismiss these symptoms as unrelated to circulation problems.
Inadequate Physical Examination
Proper PAD diagnosis requires thorough physical examination of the affected limbs. Doctors should check pulses in the feet and legs, assess skin color and temperature, and look for signs of poor circulation. Many diagnostic failures occur when providers skip these essential examination steps or fail to recognize abnormal findings.
The ankle-brachial index (ABI) test provides a simple, non-invasive method for detecting PAD by comparing blood pressure in the arms and legs. When healthcare providers fail to order this test for appropriate patients, they may miss opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment.
Misinterpretation of Test Results
Even when diagnostic tests are performed, misinterpretation of results can lead to missed or delayed diagnosis. Normal ABI results in patients with diabetes or kidney disease may not accurately reflect arterial health due to vessel calcification. Providers must understand these limitations and order additional testing when clinical suspicion remains high.
Imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT angiography, or magnetic resonance angiography may be necessary for definitive diagnosis. Failure to order appropriate imaging or incorrect interpretation of study results can delay necessary treatment and allow the condition to progress.
What Are the Consequences of PAD Misdiagnosis?
Delayed or missed PAD diagnosis can have serious consequences for patients’ health and quality of life. Without appropriate treatment, the condition typically worsens over time, leading to increased pain and reduced mobility. Patients may develop critical limb ischemia, a severe form of PAD requiring immediate intervention to save the affected limb.
The risk of cardiovascular events increases significantly in patients with undiagnosed PAD. These individuals face higher rates of heart attack and stroke due to widespread atherosclerotic disease. Early diagnosis and treatment with medications, lifestyle modifications, and procedural interventions can substantially reduce these risks.
Wound healing problems represent another serious consequence of undiagnosed PAD. Poor circulation prevents proper healing of cuts, sores, or injuries on the feet and legs. These wounds may become infected and progress to gangrene, potentially requiring amputation. Cardiology malpractice cases often involve delayed recognition of circulation problems leading to limb loss.
Legal Standards for PAD Diagnosis
Medical malpractice law requires healthcare providers to meet established standards of care when evaluating patients with potential circulation problems. Doctors must conduct appropriate history-taking, physical examination, and diagnostic testing based on patient symptoms and risk factors.
The standard of care includes recognizing common PAD symptoms, performing relevant physical examination maneuvers, and ordering appropriate diagnostic tests when indicated. Providers must also interpret test results correctly and refer patients for vascular consultation when necessary.
Proving Medical Negligence
Establishing medical malpractice in PAD misdiagnosis cases requires demonstrating that the healthcare provider deviated from accepted standards of care. Expert medical testimony typically addresses what a reasonable physician should have done in similar circumstances and how the defendant’s actions fell below this standard.
Causation represents another essential element, requiring proof that diagnostic delays or errors directly contributed to patient harm. This may include progression of disease, development of complications, or lost opportunities for less invasive treatment options.
The Impact of PAD Misdiagnosis on Quality of Life
PAD significantly affects patients’ daily activities and overall quality of life. Walking becomes painful and limited, affecting employment, social activities, and independence. The fear of amputation creates additional psychological stress for patients and families dealing with advanced disease.
Chronic pain and mobility limitations can lead to depression, social isolation, and decreased life satisfaction. Patients may require assistive devices, home modifications, or long-term care services. The financial burden of ongoing medical treatment and disability can be overwhelming for affected families.
Contact Davis & Davis for Your PAD Misdiagnosis Case
If you believe you or a family member suffered harm due to delayed or missed peripheral artery disease diagnosis, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Healthcare providers have a responsibility to recognize circulation problems and provide appropriate evaluation and treatment based on established medical standards.
Our Houston medical malpractice firm has extensive experience handling complex diagnostic error cases, including vascular disease misdiagnosis claims. We work with qualified medical professionals to evaluate your case and determine whether healthcare providers met appropriate standards of care. Our team understands the serious nature of PAD complications and fights to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from diagnostic failures. Contact us today to discuss your potential claim and learn how we may be able to help you pursue justice and accountability.
