Osteomyelitis caused by Surgical Errors is Medical Malpractice

Osteomyelitis is a chronic condition that infects the bone. The infection may travel through the bloodstream or spread from a nearby tissue and attack the bone. It may originate in the bone directly, if the bone was exposed to germs by an injury.

Osteomyelitis is not an age-restricted condition, and is known to commonly affect children as well as adults. In the case of children, it usually attacks long bones in the legs or upper arms. Adults may develop osteomyelitis more in their spine. Diabetic adults may develop the condition in their feet, if foot ulcers are present.

Osteomyelitis was once considered incurable, but with today's technology it can be treated if detected on time. The condition may require a surgery to remove the dead parts of the affected bone, followed by strong medications, antibiotics, and treatment to prevent its recurrence.

Signs and Symptoms

Common symptoms of osteomyelitis are:

· Chills and fever

· Pain in the infected region

· Redness, swelling, and warmth in the infected area

· Irritability and prolonged lethargy in children

Osteomyelitis may often go unnoticed due to its symptoms that are common with other conditions. Sometimes the condition may not exhibit any symptoms at all, making it difficult to diagnose. However, if osteomyelitis is left undiagnosed or untreated for long, the infection may rapidly spread, requiring amputation of the affected limb.

Causes of Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is caused due to an attack by the staphylococcus bacteria, or other germs found in the skin or nose of individuals who are even completely healthy.

A number of ways through which bacteria and germs can enter the body are:

· Open wounds

· Infected tissue

· Infected prosthetic joints

· Bloodstream (spreading from lungs due to pneumonia, or other such conditions)

Some common risk factors that are known to trigger osteomyelitis include:

· Circulation disorders

o Peripheral arterial disease, commonly associated with smoking

o Improperly controlled diabetes

o Sickle cell disease

· Conditions that require catheters or intravenous lines

o Urinary catheters

o Dialysis tubing machines

o Long-term IV tubing, often referred to as central lines

· Conditions or treatments that impair the immune system

o Diabetes

o Chemotherapy and radiation

o Corticosteroids

Surgical Errors that cause Osteomyelitis

It is not uncommon that medical negligence and wrongdoing during a surgery may lead to the possibility of developing osteomyelitis. Some of the circumstances under which this can happen include:

· Improper suturing of wounds after the surgery

· Wrong surgical technique

· Improper use of surgical equipment

· Failure to remove the complete infected region of bone, due to negligence

· Improper post-operation care

· Wrong incision of catheters or tubing

Such surgical errors can have catastrophic consequences on the patient's health. Complications may multiply and leave the patient's life at stake due to the severity and chronic nature of the condition.

The Best Law Firm Around

If you or a loved one has been affected by osteomyelitis due to medical negligence and surgical errors, you need to call some legal help from a New York City medical malpractice attorney. Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff (RMFW) have law offices situated in Astoria, Queens, New York City and two offices in Brooklyn.

You don't have to pay us a penny until your case is won and even then you do not have to pay us since we only take a percentage from the final settlement or courtroom verdict. Call 212-344-1000 to schedule a free consultation.

RMFW wants to win as badly as you do.