What is DVT and how can it be misdiagnosed?

DVT, or “Deep Vein Thrombosis,” is often undiagnosed and is just often misdiagnosed as some other condition but in every case DVT is dangerous and can be life threatening if left untreated.

Examples of Medical Malpractice Involving DVT

A thrombosis, or a blood clot, can become caught in the deep veins of the leg, calf or thigh and can produce nasty symptoms such as swelling, edema and redness that might make it difficult to walk without pain.  The thrombosis situation can become life threatening when the DVT clot suddenly breaks loose and travels into the heart and pulmonary or lung circulation system causing a pulmonary embolism.  A pulmonary embolism can be difficult to diagnose and it can be lethal.  A wrongful death caused by a very preventable DVT condition would be an act of medical malpractice if the treating physician failed to take reasonable steps to either prevent the DVT or to recognize the DVT and treat that condition with blood thinning pharmaceuticals to avoid a pulmonary embolism crisis.     

Misdiagnosing DVT

Doctors commonly mistake a Deep Vein Thrombosis for a superficial thrombophlebitis condition which is relatively innocuous in nature.  Superficial thrombophlebitis is caused by an inflammation of a vein wall superficial clot will usually resolves with rest, elastic stocking use and elevation of the effected leg.  DVT can also be mistaken for an Achilles tendon rupture, a tumor, a muscle strain in the leg, cellulitis, a cyst, a lymphatic obstruction and even a condition known as CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.   

Getting Legal Help

If you suspect that you have suffered an injury due to an incident of medical malpractice then it would be important to discuss the circumstances of the injury with a medical malpractice attorney.