An 80-year-old pensioner was forced to have both legs amputated after a four-year delay and 29 medical appointments failed to diagnose peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Nic Olsen first experienced leg and foot pain in 2020 and was initially referred to an orthopedic specialist, who believed the pain was linked to his existing back problems. Over the following years, Olsen attended numerous appointments with various consultants, specialists, and general practitioners, undergoing extensive scans and tests. During this period, his pain worsened, and he received various treatments, including advice to 'walk more,' cholesterol medication, and shoe insoles.

The condition, PAD, causes arteries to narrow due to fatty deposits, leading to blockages. It affects approximately one in five people over the age of 60 and can typically be diagnosed with a simple Doppler test. However, by the time of Olsen's diagnosis, the disease had progressed too far for effective treatment.

Olsen's wife, Fiona, stated that a Doppler test would have quickly identified the circulation issue. Instead, he underwent a range of tests, including MRI scans, X-rays, and blood tests, over a four-year period. During this time, Olsen reported his pain was severe, describing it as being "stabbed with a carving knife."

In January 2024, during a holiday in Tenerife, one of Olsen's toenails burst open, bleeding profusely. Nine months later, a podiatrist inquired about a Doppler test. After this test was finally performed, it revealed no circulation in his legs, indicating the severity of his condition.

Olsen was subsequently referred to a vascular hospital, where he was diagnosed with chronic PAD. Despite this, he was advised to walk 10,000 steps daily and was prescribed cholesterol tablets. In January 2025, Olsen collapsed from the pain and was unable to walk. Following three more hospital visits, a consultant reviewed his ultrasound scan and raised the alarm.

An angioplasty was performed to unblock his arteries, but it was unsuccessful. This was followed by a 13-hour arterial bypass surgery, which also failed to resolve the blockage.

The progression of the disease led to the decision to amputate his right leg below the knee in April 2025. Within two weeks of returning home, his other foot became ulcerated, necessitating a second amputation in July 2025.

His wife, Fiona, noted that Olsen's treatment and care are estimated to have cost the National Health Service (NHS) over £1 million. She believes an early diagnosis, potentially through an angioplasty costing around £1,000, could have saved his legs and significantly reduced costs.

Following his amputations, Olsen underwent months of rehabilitation with prosthetic legs. By June 2026, he was able to walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day. Fiona Olsen is now campaigning to raise awareness of PAD symptoms, which include resting leg and foot pain, swollen toes, and a lack of hair on the lower legs. Olsen himself stated that he felt he had "slipped through the net" and emphasized that early diagnosis is crucial and preventable.