The initial symptoms of necrotising fasciitis can be vague and non-specific. This can make the condition difficult to diagnose. However, the successful treatment of necrotising fasciitis depends upon early detection and treatment. Any delays could prove fatal.
If you or your loved one has suffered because of a delayed diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis, please get in touch with us to discuss your case with a solicitor. There could be grounds for a medical negligence claim, which would entitle you to obtain compensation for the damages incurred.
Initial signs of necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis is an aggressive soft tissue infection. It develops very rapidly, but the initial symptoms can be non-specific, meaning a diagnosis is only realised after a patient has significantly deteriorated.
At first there may be pain or fever. The pain will be exquisite and will not have an obvious clinical cause. There may be some form of wound present, such as a surgical wound or a small cut. However, the pain will be totally disproportionate to the injury.
Next skin changes may occur. The presentation often mimics other conditions such as cellulitis, bursitis, septic arthritis, deep vein thrombosis, haematoma or bursitis. At this stage the patient may still appear systematically well, aside from suffering intense pain.
Advanced symptoms of necrotising fasciitis
The patient’s condition will then continue to worsen. The skin changes will become increasingly severe, until eventually there are bullae (pus-filled blisters) and necrotic skin. Nevertheless, this does not occur until about the fifth day of infection.
By this stage the patient will be extremely unwell and may have gone into septic shock, where the blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level. This causes confusion, breathlessness and chronic fatigue as the organs struggle to function. Ultimately it can result in organ failure and death.
Delayed diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis
The symptoms of necrotising fasciitis can at first be indistinct. This can throw clinicians off course, meaning the condition is mistaken for something other than necrotising fasciitis. This is particularly true of patients who present with pain but no other systemic signs such as fever.
Sadly this can be very dangerous as necrotising fasciitis is a condition which must be treated immediately. Any delay could result in the patient needing extensive surgery. It may even cause a fatality.
What action can be taken?
Although necrotising fasciitis is difficult to diagnose, it should be possible for a competent medical practitioner to recognise a soft tissue infection. Action should then be taken immediately.
If doctors are found to have been too slow in diagnosing and treating necrotising fasciitis, there will be grounds for a compensation claim. A solicitor will be able to advise you further. Please contact us for more information.
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