Misdiagnosis of Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a condition in which there is an infection in a bone. It is quite possible for this type of medical condition to be misdiagnosed because many of the symptoms are similar to other types of illnesses. These infections can get to the bone by moving through the individual's bloodstream. In some cases, if an infection is found in the tissue surrounding the bone, the infection could have spread from that tissue. It can also enter the bone from an injury to the bone which causes germs to enter to the bone.

Why Does Misdiagnosis Happen?

Osteomyelitis used to be considered an untreatable condition. However, today, surgical procedures and medications can help the individual to overcome the condition. In many cases, the part of the bone that is infected must be removed. However, when this condition is misdiagnosed, the infection can spread and can be lethal. In many situations, the misdiagnosis occurs because the doctor thought another medical condition was in place, which may include:

• Cellulitis
• Gout
• Avascular necrosis
• Mycotic bone infection
• Diabetic ulcers
• Multiple myeloma
• Metastatic cancer
• Rheumatic fever
• Tuberculosis infection
• Arterial insufficiency ulcer

In some situations, the doctor may misdiagnose the condition as a bone cancer, adamantinoma or a type of acute rheumatic fever. The treatments for these conditions are unlikely to help those who have Osteomyelitis, though, and this can lead to the condition spreading in the individual's body. In other situations, initial diagnosis may be that the condition is simply an injury (especially when the bone is exposed) or there is a bacterial infection. The symptoms of the condition are often the same for any type of infection, which includes a fever, pain and swelling.

In order to learn if the condition was misdiagnosed by your doctor and this was a form of negligence, it becomes very important to consider the circumstances in the case. You must show that the doctor had the ability to diagnose the condition properly and for some reason did not do so or did not perform the medically correct procedure.

Getting Legal Aid

For those who have Osteomyelitis, it is critical to understand that misdiagnosis can occur in many situations. In most situations, it is critical for the attorney to prove that the doctor failed to act as medical code dictates. That can be difficult to do, which is why anyone who believes they may be the victim of malpractice should work with a doctor to find out.