Indianapolis, IN Attorneys for UnDiagnosed Buerger’s Disease
Buerger’s disease, also known as thromboangiitis obliterans, is a rare disease of the arteries and veins in the arms and legs. This disease causes the blood vessels to become inflamed. When this occurs, blood flow is constricted, which can cause the veins and arteries in the arms and legs to become blocked by blood clots. Without sufficient blood flow, the skin tissue can develop infection and potentially gangrene. If the infection cannot be controlled, or if gangrene develops, amputation may become necessary to keep the infection from spreading.
The Mayo Clinic has reported that virtually all patients diagnosed with Buerger’s disease smoke cigarettes or use tobacco products. The only way to stop Buerger’s disease is to stop using tobacco. If a patient does not quit using tobacco products, the disease will continue to progress and can cause significant damage to the body which may require amputation of the arms and legs.
Buerger’s disease is just one of several peripheral artery diseases which are identified by a constriction of blood flow through the blood vessels. It can also be considered a type of vasculitis disease which refers to a group of disorders identified by the problem of inflamed blood vessels. For this reason, it is imperative that a doctor to consider a wide set of ailments when treating a patient in order to reach the proper standard of care. The failure to take reasonable steps to diagnose a disease is considered medical malpractice in the state of Indiana.
Signs and symptoms of Buerger’s disease include cold hands or feet, burning or tingling sensation in the extremities, pain in the hands and feet, and skin changes including painful sores or ulcers on the hands or feet.
Treatment for Buerger’s disease typically involves medicines to control the pain that the patient experiences. It is imperative that the patient quit using all tobacco products. Gentle exercise can also help increase circulation of the blood throughout the body. In some cases, surgery can be performed to bypass damaged blood vessels and restore circulation to the affected areas of the body.
Failure to Diagnose Buerger’s Disease Claim
A middle-aged man presented to a Rheumatologist in Muncie, Indiana, with signs of Buerger’s Disease (a rheumatologic condition/severe reaction to cigarette smoking which causes the smaller blood vessels to constrict and lose circulation). The delay in diagnosis resulted in the amputation of the patient’s right leg and a few of the patient’s left toes. Case settled just prior to trial for close to the maximum amount permitted by law.
Indiana Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
The failure to diagnose an ailment as serious as Buerger’s disease can have a devastating impact on a patient. If you or someone you care about sought treatment from a medical professional who failed to diagnose your condition and you suffered a serious injury as a result, contact us now. Our experienced Indianapolis medical malpractice attorneys have litigated cases originating from Muncie, Anderson, Lafayette, Bloomington, Evansville, Terre Haute, Indianapolis and all across the state. There is no fee for your initial consultation and we do not collect fees until your claim is paid. CohenMalad, LLP has earned a well-respected reputation as a tough litigation firm in the courtroom and during negotiations and can bring Power to Your Voice.
