Compensation for Septic Arthritis Delays
With prompt treatment, a patient will normally recover from septic arthritis in a few weeks. A failure to diagnose this condition can, however, result in permanent joint damage or a life-threatening condition.
Septic arthritis
Septic arthritis, also known as infectious arthritis, can cause a range of symptoms. The most likely symptoms are extreme pain and swelling in one or more joints. This may be accompanied by a high temperature, fatigue and stiffness in the affected joint.
A prompt diagnosis should lead to a course of antibiotics if the infection is considered to have an underlying bacterial cause.
Septic arthritis is caused when bacteria or a virus travel through the bloodstream and infect a joint. This occurs mostly in the knee joint although it can also affect the hip or ankle.
Impact of a delayed diagnosis
If treatment is delayed due to a misdiagnosis, the infection can quickly become more severe and cause a range of problems:
- Permanent joint damage. A recent client suffered the destruction of a hip due to a delay in diagnosing septic arthritis, requiring a total hip replacement.
- Sepsis. Septic arthritis can, if neglected, allow the patient to develop sepsis as the body fails to cope appropriately with the infection. This can, in turn, cause multiple organ failure and put the patient at risk of dying.
- Osteomyelitis. If the infection affects the bone of the joint, the patient is likely to need surgery.
The on-going impact of any of the above complications can be utterly life-changing. Pain and loss of mobility or dexterity can become a permanent feature of the patient's life.
Where such an outcome is considered to be due to a failure by medical professionals to identify the cause of the patient's symptoms, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Diagnosing septic arthritis
Considering the patient's broader history may indicate a susceptibility to developing septic arthritis. Patients who already suffer with diabetes or have a pre-existing joint problem may be more likely to develop the illness.
If the medical professional suspects you of having septic arthritis, a blood test or sample of fluid from around the joint might be required in order to confirm a diagnosis.
Medical negligence
A failure to consider a diagnosis of septic arthritis in patients exhibiting symptoms of pain and swelling in a joint might lead to a catastrophic outcome.
If you or a loved one are suffering the impact of a failure diagnose this severe infection, contact us to discuss your situation with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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