Septic Arthritis & Difficulty getting the right diagnosis

Septic Arthritis  &  Difficulty getting the right diagnosis

POSTED ON JANUARY 24, 2020









(I "redacted"  bits of this due to so many issues with doctors, the medical field in general & the many malpractice suits whether true or not, there are many)... so I will just put the link to the page I got this from & the story is  also posted in my Today's Newspaper... Link*****Link to my paper  :   https://www.autoimmunearthriticsystemiclife.com/*****Link to article: & I remain "neutral" due o the nature of the subject and because I had "Septic Arthritis) although after seeing 3 doctors they really never "agreed" as far as the real diagnosis - the symptoms can  be signs of several diseases...  it took me about 3 months to really get clear of it - and at least 6 rounds of antibiotics to feel "safe" it was gone...)You trust your doctor to either know how to diagnose and treat your medical condition or at the very least, to understand when to refer you to someone with the expertise to handle your case, especially in the case of infections. Septic arthritis is one such serious infectious condition that, if not diagnosed and treated quickly, can lead to permanently damaged joints and other serious complications. When a doctor or another medical provider fails to appropriately diagnose or manage septic arthritis, the consequences for your health can be severe. If this occurs and you are wondering what options you may have to hold them accountable, the next thing to do is seek knowledgeable legal counsel.What is Septic Arthritis?Septic arthritis, or infectious arthritis, is a joint infection, commonly found in the knees but can also occur in the hips, shoulders and other joints. It is characterized by swollen, intensely painful joints with redness, warmth and stiffness, accompanied by chills and fever. The condition can present in a similar manner to other conditions, for example, rheumatoid arthritis or staph infection. If left untreated, the cartilage and bone within the joint degenerates and can be permanently damaged within mere days. In some cases of septic arthritis, the affected limb must be amputated. With the dangerous nature of this condition, prompt treatment is essential.What Causes Septic Arthritis?Septic arthritis is caused by a bacteria, virus or fungus, typically staphylococcus aureus infection, but also a urinary tract or skin infection. 91% of septic arthritis cases stem from staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria. Among younger sexually active adults, gonorrhea is the most common disease that passes the infection from one person to another. Germs migrate through the bloodstream from one part of the body to another or go directly into the joints through an injury, injection or open wound caused by a penetrating object, such as an animal bite or surgery.Ordinarily, your joints can protect against infection naturally, but the body’s reaction to infection causes inflammation that increases pressure and reduces blood flow in the joint, causing damage. The increased use of prosthetic joints in recent history has increased the rate of infectious arthritis. Approximately 20,000 people suffer from the condition in the U.S. annually. Tragically, 11% of those afflicted with septic arthritis die. Communicable infections, like staph infections, create conditions favorable to septic arthritis and can be contagious if a person is exposed in a non-sterile environment.Septic arthritis largely affects infants and older people aged 65-plus, as well as those with existing joint problems. Some of the primary risk factors for septic arthritis include:

• Osteoarthritis

• Gout

• Lupus

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Weak immune systems

• Artificial joints

• Previous joint surgery or injury

• Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis

• Open wounds

• Chronic immune-suppressing conditions like diabetes, kidney, and liver disease

• Joint trauma

All who are affected by one or more of the above risk factors are far more susceptible to septic arthritis than the general population. Notably, alcoholism, intravenous drug use and low socioeconomic status are also risk factors for the condition. Further, having more than one of these risk factors increases the potential for contracting the condition. People with rheumatoid arthritis and gout are especially vulnerable to septic arthritis because of their commonly prescribed immune-suppressing medications and symptoms that mirror those of septic arthritis. Doctors often misdiagnose or miss the diagnosis in these patients. Patients with hemophilia or HIV or also at risk for septic arthritis due to their low immunity.Diagnosis and Treatment for Septic ArthritisGiven the deadly nature of septic arthritis, a doctor should conduct arthrocentesis, the method used to detect the condition and confirm or rule out septic arthritis. In addition, blood testing and imaging tests may detect septic arthritis, but the surest method is joint aspiration, when synovial fluid in the joints is extracted and tested. Conditions that mimic the condition are abscesses, cellulitis, Lyme disease, malignancy, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteomyelitis, among others. It is critical for the treating physician to discern these imitative conditions from septic arthritis. Obtaining an accurate patient history can help the provider discover risk factors indicating probable infectious arthritis. Otherwise, there is no gold standard of early detection other than the physician’s expertise at recognizing musculoskeletal diseases and their copycats, or referring the patient to a specialist who is experienced in this area of practice. Once septic arthritis has been diagnosed, treatment may consist of intravenous antibiotics, surgery or aspirations in the affected area. Time is of the essence when a person is affected by septic arthritis, so diagnosing and treating the condition in a timely manner is a must.Septic Arthritis Malpractice Failure to detect septic arthritis results in significantly higher rates of complications, permanent damage and even death. When a doctor fails to diagnose or misdiagnoses this serious condition, they may ultimately be found liable for medical malpractice. Generally, medical malpractice occurs when a physician or other healthcare provider fails to diagnose a condition, misdiagnoses a condition, fails to treat an illness or disease, or improperly treats such an ailment, which leads to some form of injury or death for the patient. Given the training and experience of medical professionals, patients rely on their expertise to address their symptoms, provide appropriate treatment, and ultimately, to keep them from harm.If you believe your doctor mishandled your septic arthritis case in New Jersey, you typically have two years from the date of injury (or the date at which you became aware of said injury) within which to file a malpractice lawsuit. An affidavit of merit is required by law when filing a lawsuit against a medical professional. The affidavit of merit will require a doctor in the same field as the defendant to declare under oath that the care, skill or knowledge shown during the diagnosis and treatment of the patient fell below the medical standard of care under the circumstances. There are strict time limits within which to file specific documents in order to avoid your case being dismissed. Due to the complexity of medical malpractice litigation in New Jersey, it is highly advisable to seek help from an attorney with extensive experience handling claims like yours.Your Septic Arthritis If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a doctor or other medical provider’s negligence involving diagnosis or treatment for septic arthritis, consult a knowledgeable medical Additional & Related Information:

• Septic arthritis Background, Medscape

• Septic Arthritis Overview, MayoClinic

• Management of septic arthritis: a systematic review, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

• Evaluation and Management of Septic Arthritis and its Mimics in the Emergency Department, The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine

• Medical Malpractice Involving Sepsis

LINK to this article:   https://www.fronzutolaw.com/articles/malpractice-with-septic-arthritis/

Friday's addn of my Daily Newspaper, Health, RA, Lupus, Chronic Pain and more!

Friday's addn of my Daily Newspaper, Health, RA, Lupus, Chronic Pain and more!

http://news.autoimmunearthriticsystemiclife.com/#/signin

Wed. Addn of my Newspaper- Notice one on Turmeric &

https://www.wellnessglobal.xyz/2020/01/drink-1-cup-of-turmeric-water-in.html

Texas Weather & Talk About Effecting Our Joints and Bodies!!

   HERE IS TX WEATHER FOR YOU - 32 ONE NIGHT AND XMAS DAY.....72????!!!☃☂☉ (DEGREES)

I recall one Christmas fixing Dinner at my Home in Blooming Grove with the A/C on shorts!!! I was at least 72 that day!!! Insane TX Weather!!!

A Beautiful Christmas Song and Versus

May Your Heart Be Filled with Joy as you see and Hear this....

https://www.123greetings.com/events/christmas/spirit_of_christmas/christmas_prayer_a_christmas.html?fbclid=IwAR1N1YRUwzfZB-avG2_1d7vK_KcQ7NXByGDs62EHNjY9mZU4kAjNelo5kUw



After watching this, is spoke just what my own heart has been wanting to say, we need peace not chaos, joy not sorrow, love not hatred, forgiveness not bitterness, hope in our hearts, the joy of others watching them have joy themselves & try our best to rid our own piece of the nation from the violence we see all around.

 If our hearts and minds are in the proper place and we reach with a kind hand, hopefully that gesture is passed to others. We need "healing" at all the corners of the world, learning to be more "tolerant" and patient, rather than be in such a hurry, or have so much going, that e forget all of us are humans. We make mistakes, & allowing pride to not show as much, and letting humility and humanity shine. 

Think of Jesus, in a small manger on a bed to hay. He did have the 3 wisemen bring him the special oils, yet there were not "400.00 strollers, or baby food out of a jar, or gifts like cell phone, games on a colored TV, and He was satisfied with the love He could give to others. May we all have a bit of that in our hearts this season, and in the years and seasons to come.

"Valley Fever" fungal infection often misdiagnosed.. info on Barby

"Valley Fever" fungal infection often misdiagnosed.. info on Barby Ingle

https://vfce.arizona.edu/valley-fever-people/faqs

This is an entire website about this & it has been bad in CA & several other places this last several months

This is certainly an infection that can often cause severe problems, especially in those of us with a compromised immune system.

Keep Barby & her family in your thoughts and prayers...

I-Pain Send in your submission to possibly get an article in the iPain Living Magazine!

I-Pain Send in your submission

We are accepting submissions for iPain Living Magazine 2020 - Summer & Fall Eds. Submit articles for consideration to media@internationalpain.org 700-1000 words - Magazine Ads contact media@internationalpain.org #iPainLiving

New Flu Treatment Approved, RA Doctors how many have you seen?

FDA approves new drug to treat influenza

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-treat-influenza

On the "average" how many Rheumatologists have you seen before you found one that was "okay" as far as treatment, diagnosis and so forth?

I FINALLY did get to the RA's Office on Friday. Of course I rarely see him & have to see his NP or PA (actually I am not sure which one she is). I believe she is in school to finish up the PA License. Anyway, I had to go over the entire story starting from about the end of May or so, till the pacemaker finally. Actually I had filled all of that out & more earlier that week before going to the office SOnI would NOT have to spend 45 minutes telling it again. Alas, if it had been my DOCTOR, he would have read it all, and knew exactly what had been happening with me. He always is on top of everything when I can see him. I told herI already had labs done (including everything there is I think) about 8 weeks ago for the pacemaker. I also told her from now on send my "lab request with me, I will have them done here at my PCP Office. At SW in Dallas, they CHARGE separately for labs & last time they did not tell me they changed that so it cost me the co-pay and then another 70.00 for "my part of the labs).. when I asked why it changed the lady on the phone said the doctors "lease" the offices, so that is separate now from the clinic! BULL! My RA Physician TEACHES, DOES CLINICAL ROTATION, DOES RESEARCH, & SEES VERY FEW PATIENTS..So, I have to believe whomever doing the billing for the labs is not billing correctly.. She put me back on the exact same meds I had been on that honestly I don't think work. She was shocked how much worse the RA was, especially when my left hand, wrists ,fingers, thumb was so bad. I am not sure if they are right on their diagnosis. Those fingers on the left hand are continuing to "turn"n& the middle finger is laying on top of my ring finger. Frankly after the last time I took 8 or 9 weeks of antibiotics, & they never did know if I had "reactive infectious arthritis" or the RA was getting worse or what. I came home Friday in rush hour traffic from Dallas & was just disgusted with it all. I FEAR the Enbrel now since it's an injection weekly & I seem to not stay free from infections then add the Enbrel & that can cause them to be worse. Plus here is the flu season. Sounds like we are in for a huge problem with people being extremely ill even in the hospital with the flu this season. So, be sure to GET YOUR FLU SHOT, get the kids to understand to wash hands, not drink or eat from others & if anyone has the slightest sign of flu, go immediately & get the new shot. It won't _cure_ it but it will keep you far less ill, & get you well within a few days rather than like some and take a month or get pneumonia. (Xofluza, which can be taken via a single oral dose to help patients recover more quickly from the flu.)

New Charity founded by Lady Gaga & her Mom called "Born This Way" Foundation

      New Foundation by Lady Gaga & her Mom the
"The Born this Way" Foundation

She also has Lupus. I believe she found out fairly recently. After seeing how much kindness she shows to especially youth, the younger kids, teens, and early 20's.... she touched my heart.

https://www.facebook.com/donate/790666221393294/10218229270018026/

#GIVINGTUESDAY Crucial things that need our assistance in giving in some way...

As we celebrated Thanksgiving and now rush around for items under the tree remember there are extremely crucial people, non-profits and more to give your help to...If all you can do is "Spread the Word" about your favorite Charity - That is also Giving of Yourself...

                     #GIVINGTUESDAY  HERE IS JUST 1 EXAMPLE OF MANY!

https://www.givingtuesday.org