A man has had a leg amputated five years after medics failed to refer him for further tests when he had pain in his big toe and his right foot was turning black.
Len Bruno, 71, went to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, and while he had an aneurysm behind both knee joints, he was told he probably had a small clot in his right leg that had resolved itself.
But over the coming years Len, of Aberavon, Port Talbot, developed pain, including cramps, in his left leg and he was referred for further tests which confirmed he had aneurysms measuring 3.6cm and 3.4cm behind his left and right knees respectively, which were restricting blood flow.
A treatment plan was due to be drawn up but, Len, a former steeplejack, continued to experience pain and around two months after the aneurysms were confirmed he went to hospital again, where he was told his left leg was unsalvageable.
He required an above the knee amputation of his left leg, followed by surgery to repair the right aneurysm, reported WalesOnline.
Len spent more than three months in hospital and, following his ordeal, he got expert medical negligence lawyers to investigate his care under Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, which runs Princess of Wales Hospital.
The Board reportedly admitted liability, and that a knee aneurysm should have been considered during Len’s initial appointment five years before they were diagnosed. If so, Len would have had further tests and would have been offered treatment which would have avoided his amputation.
Irwin Mitchell reportedly said it had secured an interim payment to help fund Len’s ongoing care and rehabilitation needs.
The legal experts and the health board are now working towards a final settlement which will aim to ensure Len has access to the lifetime support he requires.
The health board said it apologised to Len and his family for what he had been through and the challenges he now faced.
Len had been referred to Princess of Wales Hospital in July, 2012, but after an appointment the following month he was discharged from the health board’s care.
And it was after continued pain that in March, 2017, he was again referred to the hospital.
He was seen by the vascular team that September, and aneurysms behind his knees were confirmed in November, 2017. Doctors amputated his left leg the following February 5 and Len underwent surgery on his right knee aneurysm 11 days later.
Before his amputation, Len said he enjoyed running on the beach and would go to the gym several times a week.
Now he has a prosthetic leg fitted that is not specifically designed for his body so he struggles to walk long distances or on uneven ground.
He is due to undergo private assessment for a specially designed prosthesis which will help him get back running, walking further and taking photos.
Len said: “Before all this I was extremely active. I’d always be out and about. I’d walk for hours, loved running and going to the gym. However, all that changed. I knew something wasn’t right but when I visited hospital the doctors never gave me the impression there was anything to be worried about. I had no reason to dispute what they were saying.
“It was only in 2017 that things started to develop. Despite this, nothing prepared me for the news that my leg would have to be amputated. Following surgery there was a lot of time when I was by myself when it was difficult not to think about what had happened and how my life was never going to be the same.
“Coming to terms with this while having concerns about my care was difficult and there were some hard times. Once back home I was initially faced with a situation I didn’t know how to deal with. I wanted to join a support group but I couldn’t find any and struggled to know what to do."
Len added: “I’ll always be upset by what’s happened to me and how it shouldn’t have happened but I can’t turn the clock back. My focus is now on looking to the future. My family have been amazing and done so much for me to help the best they can but the specialist support team I now have round me have been unbelievable.
“They’ve put me in touch with the walking club. While I still struggle and can’t walk far or on uneven ground, getting out and about once more has really helped both physically and mentally. I’m now setting myself goals and ambitions. I know I have a long way to go but being able to get prostheses personally designed for me will mean so much. It will mean I can start trying to run again, get out more and regain more of my old life.
“I just hope that by speaking out, others in a similar situation don’t feel they have to go through it alone. There’s a lot of support out there.”
A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB reportedly said: “We have extended our sincere apologies to Mr Bruno and his family, and we do not underestimate the life changing challenges he now faces as a result of his late diagnosis."
