Septic arthritis compensation guide
Arthritis, in any form, is incredibly debilitating. However, the effects of septic arthritis can be particularly devastating. Septic arthritis is a bacterial infection that targets the joints of the human body. The most frequently affected joints are the knees and hips, but the condition often develops in the wrist, shoulder, ankle or elbow as well. Symptoms include redness or swelling around a joint and severe pain or restricted movement in the joint itself.
Everyone is potentially vulnerable to septic arthritis, but there are several factors associated with increased risk of contracting the condition. Some examples of these risk factors are: recent joint injury or joint surgery, necessary use of prosthetic limbs, drug use and poor immune system. Patients, who already suffer from certain types or arthritis, like rheumatoid, are also especially susceptible to developing septic arthritis.
Read moreSeptic arthritis occurs as the result of an infection, which means it’s caused by bacteria entering the body and multiplying. This can happen in several ways, whether bacteria travel through the bloodstream from other infected areas or enter the joint directly via an open injury. Complications during routine medical procedures such as joint surgeries or hospital investigations can also lead to infections, which may eventually develop into septic arthritis. In extreme cases, septic arthritis can cause blood poisoning, which is occasionally fatal. Thankfully, most infections are diagnosed and treated long before they progress to that stage. But, in cases of medical negligence, this is often not the case.
If you have contracted septic arthritis due to receiving negligent medical care, you may have a claim. With a wealth of specialist knowledge in medical negligence cases, we can provide advice, support and guidance throughout the process. There are no upfront fees or payments, so talk to Your Legal Friend today for more information.
Read lessOur medical negligence team has years of experience working on a wide variety of medical malpractice cases so we understand just how difficult a decision it can be to bring a medical negligence case.
That’s why we are committed to guiding you through every step of the process. We ensure that your claim is handled carefully and professionally by our specialist solicitors, while working alongside medical experts, to guarantee the best results for you.
Read moreOur medical negligence team is headed by Laura Morgan who has a wealth of experience in leading complicated, high-value medical negligence cases.
Laura is recognised within the legal profession as a leader in the field of medical negligence and serious injury compensation. Laura has acted in a wide range of cases over her 17 years of practice and has particular expertise in acting for children who have suffered brain injury due to mismanaged birth or surgical errors, and in managing claims that have resulted in the death of a loved one. Laura has achieved a number of large settlements including £5.4 million for a 7 year old and £4 million for an 11 year old child.
Laura’s expertise and dedication to her clients is recognised in the Chambers guide to the Legal Profession in which she was praised for the efficiency of her approach to case handling and described as “tenacious and detail-oriented”.
Laura has been a member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel since 2005 and accredited as a Senior Litigator in the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) since 2006. Laura is also a member of the specialist lawyers panel for Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA), the UK’s leading charity committed to patient safety and justice.
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The effects of medical negligence can be devastating for the individual and their families, so securing appropriate compensation for them as quickly as possible is our top priority.
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Septic arthritis is a bacterial infection that causes a severe inflammation in one or more of the joints, most commonly the hips or knees.
It is vital that a patient receives an early, accurate diagnosis and emergency treatment to help prevent the significant worsening of the condition. If a patient is left untreated, septic arthritis can quickly spread, causing permanent and severe joint damage which can result in the amputation of the affected limb. In some cases, septic arthritis can be life threatening.
If an experienced doctor or GP suspects septic arthritis, they should immediately refer the patient to hospital for further examination and the following clinical tests:
Arthrocentesis – a surgical puncture of the joint using a needle and syringe to take a sample of the joint lubricant, known as synovial fluid.
The fluid is sent to a laboratory and analysed to determine:
In many cases the results of the above tests will be ‘normal’, so cannot be relied upon to rule out infection.
Read moreBlood tests - are also frequently used to make a white blood cell count and detect inflammation throughout the body.
Imaging tests - can sometimes be used to help confirm a diagnosis:
Septic arthritis must be urgently treated by admittance to hospital, usually for at least two weeks, to undergo a course of antibiotics to prevent the rapid spread of the infection. These antibiotics are directly injected into the veins. An orthopaedic surgeon may also drain the infected joint using a needle and syringe.
If the infection has reached an advanced stage, an emergency ‘surgical washout’ may be needed to preserve the joint and prevent further deterioration which could lead to the amputation of the affected limb.
Read moreOnce the course of intravenous antibiotics is complete, further antibiotic tablets will need to be taken at home for at least another four weeks.
A complete recovery should be made although some people could still experience persistent limited movement in the affected joint.
Read lessIf you or a member of your family suffered harm due to a medical error, you need to know why you were so badly let down by those entrusted to take care of you. For example,
You need to:
Septic arthritis is a bacterial infection that causes a severe inflammation in one or more of the joints, most commonly the hips or knees.
It is vital that a patient receives an early, accurate diagnosis and emergency treatment to help prevent the significant worsening of the condition. If a patient is left untreated, septic arthritis can quickly spread, causing permanent and severe joint damage which can result in the amputation of the affected limb. In some cases, septic arthritis can be life threatening.
If an experienced doctor or GP suspects septic arthritis, they should immediately refer the patient to hospital for further examination and the following clinical tests:
Arthrocentesis – a surgical puncture of the joint using a needle and syringe to take a sample of the joint lubricant, known as synovial fluid.
The fluid is sent to a laboratory and analysed to determine:
In many cases the results of the above tests will be ‘normal’, so cannot be relied upon to rule out infection.
Read moreBlood tests - are also frequently used to make a white blood cell count and detect inflammation throughout the body.
Imaging tests - can sometimes be used to help confirm a diagnosis:
Septic arthritis must be urgently treated by admittance to hospital, usually for at least two weeks, to undergo a course of antibiotics to prevent the rapid spread of the infection. These antibiotics are directly injected into the veins. An orthopaedic surgeon may also drain the infected joint using a needle and syringe.
If the infection has reached an advanced stage, an emergency ‘surgical washout’ may be needed to preserve the joint and prevent further deterioration which could lead to the amputation of the affected limb.
Read moreOnce the course of intravenous antibiotics is complete, further antibiotic tablets will need to be taken at home for at least another four weeks.
A complete recovery should be made although some people could still experience persistent limited movement in the affected joint.
Read lessIf you or a member of your family suffered harm due to a medical error, you need to know why you were so badly let down by those entrusted to take care of you. For example,
You need to:
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