Periposthetic joint infections (PJI) happen during joint replacement surgery, or following this type of procedure. The infection can be quite serious and can cause the joint to become painful and even lead to the implanted joint becoming loosened. In certain situations, the patient may need to have their joint surgically revised. Periprosthetic joint infections are one of the leading reasons behind patients needing complete hip replacements or complete knee replacement revision surgeries in the United States each year.
The majority of cases of periprosthetic joint infection are due to the bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus, which includes common staph infections from Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as the methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain (often referred to as MRSA). These types of infections can affect more than just the joint in question, and can be quite severe. If the Staphylococci bacteria enter the blood stream blood poisoning (also known as sepsis) can develop, which can then send a patient into septic shock. Septic shock can be a life threatening condition that can cause very low blood pressure.
If a periprosthetic joint infection is not properly diagnosed, it may be grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Since these cases can be quite severe and require prompt medical attention to avoid further complications, if a diagnosis is delayed death can occur. In the event you have lost a loved one because of this type of infection, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of your relative.
Common symptoms of this type of joint infection include the following: fever, redness, swelling, joint tenderness that can be severe, drainage of a yellow or white substance known as pus, drainage of fluid, and warmth surrounding the joint.
As previously stated, if a periprosthetic joint infection is not treated in a prompt, precise manner, serious complications such as organ failure, infectious arthritis, and even death can result.
In the event the periprosthetic joint infection is due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), it may be resistant to certain types of antibiotics. These types of infections pose a much higher risk of complications, amputations, and death when compared to other types of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
In order to treat the periprosthetic joint infection, the surgeon must be able to recognize the symptoms, arrange for testing, and determine the strain of bacteria that is causing the problem. It is important to find out exactly what type of organism has caused the infection so that the proper medication can be administered.
To further protect patients, preoperative tests need to be run to determine if the patient is more likely to develop this type of infection. Before any procedure is done, the surgeon should order a variety of tests which should include serology with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), as well as C Reactive Protein (CRP). These tests are critical to assessing a patient's risk, in addition to a complete joint fluid cell count and neutrophil differential. If these tests are not performed, or if the results are not properly interpreted the results can be quite serious.
On top of these cell counts and differential testing, the fluid that is collected should be cultured to find out if there are any types of anaerobic or aerobic organisms. Imaging tests including bone scans, radioisotope, and the fluoro-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scans also prove useful in preventing and diagnosing periprosthetic joint infections.
More precautions can also be taken during the surgical procedure itself. Collecting and gram staining periprosthetic tissue samples can help, however analyzing frozen sections of this type of tissue yields much more definitive results. The most trusted and widely used test to determine if an infection is present is the culture of an organism on a solid media. This is done by analyzing several different samples that are taken during the surgical procedure.
As you can see, there is a great deal of care that must be taken with these types of infections, as well as working to prevent them and diagnose them once suspected. Making just one small error or overlooking one small detail can make all the difference between a positive recovery devastating complications that could become life threatening.
Anytime a medical professional does not take the proper steps to ensure a patients safety or to address a concern regarding infection a type of medical negligence or malpractice has occurred. If you or someone you know has suffered serious side effects from a periprosthetic joint infection, you may be entitled to receive monetary compensation for your injuries. Your best course of action is to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to help protect your legal rights.
A personal injury attorney who specializes in the area of medical negligence and malpractice is quite skilled in handling these types of cases and will work hard to get you the justice you deserve. These professionals will contact all parties involved, complete an investigation into what exactly took place and what should have been done, will collect evidence and medical records, will interview witnesses, and will arrange for expert testimony if necessary. From start to finish, your attorney will handle every aspect of your case so that you can focus your time and energy on your personal recovery.
In the event that you have lost a loved one to this form of infection, a personal injury attorney can file a wrongful death claim to seek damages for your loss. While an attorney cannot undo the harm that has already been done, he or she can help you to cover many of the expenses that are incurred for medical care, funeral costs, and loss of income.
Because most personal injury attorneys do not require any type of payment upfront, you will not have to worry about the expense of pursuing a legal claim. This will allow you the comfort of knowing your case is being handled professionally and that you have someone on your side working hard to bring those responsible for your injuries to justice, and that your legal rights are fully protected.
The majority of cases of periprosthetic joint infection are due to the bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus, which includes common staph infections from Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as the methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain (often referred to as MRSA). These types of infections can affect more than just the joint in question, and can be quite severe. If the Staphylococci bacteria enter the blood stream blood poisoning (also known as sepsis) can develop, which can then send a patient into septic shock. Septic shock can be a life threatening condition that can cause very low blood pressure.
If a periprosthetic joint infection is not properly diagnosed, it may be grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Since these cases can be quite severe and require prompt medical attention to avoid further complications, if a diagnosis is delayed death can occur. In the event you have lost a loved one because of this type of infection, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of your relative.
Common symptoms of this type of joint infection include the following: fever, redness, swelling, joint tenderness that can be severe, drainage of a yellow or white substance known as pus, drainage of fluid, and warmth surrounding the joint.
As previously stated, if a periprosthetic joint infection is not treated in a prompt, precise manner, serious complications such as organ failure, infectious arthritis, and even death can result.
In the event the periprosthetic joint infection is due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), it may be resistant to certain types of antibiotics. These types of infections pose a much higher risk of complications, amputations, and death when compared to other types of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
In order to treat the periprosthetic joint infection, the surgeon must be able to recognize the symptoms, arrange for testing, and determine the strain of bacteria that is causing the problem. It is important to find out exactly what type of organism has caused the infection so that the proper medication can be administered.
To further protect patients, preoperative tests need to be run to determine if the patient is more likely to develop this type of infection. Before any procedure is done, the surgeon should order a variety of tests which should include serology with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), as well as C Reactive Protein (CRP). These tests are critical to assessing a patient's risk, in addition to a complete joint fluid cell count and neutrophil differential. If these tests are not performed, or if the results are not properly interpreted the results can be quite serious.
On top of these cell counts and differential testing, the fluid that is collected should be cultured to find out if there are any types of anaerobic or aerobic organisms. Imaging tests including bone scans, radioisotope, and the fluoro-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scans also prove useful in preventing and diagnosing periprosthetic joint infections.
More precautions can also be taken during the surgical procedure itself. Collecting and gram staining periprosthetic tissue samples can help, however analyzing frozen sections of this type of tissue yields much more definitive results. The most trusted and widely used test to determine if an infection is present is the culture of an organism on a solid media. This is done by analyzing several different samples that are taken during the surgical procedure.
As you can see, there is a great deal of care that must be taken with these types of infections, as well as working to prevent them and diagnose them once suspected. Making just one small error or overlooking one small detail can make all the difference between a positive recovery devastating complications that could become life threatening.
Anytime a medical professional does not take the proper steps to ensure a patients safety or to address a concern regarding infection a type of medical negligence or malpractice has occurred. If you or someone you know has suffered serious side effects from a periprosthetic joint infection, you may be entitled to receive monetary compensation for your injuries. Your best course of action is to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to help protect your legal rights.
A personal injury attorney who specializes in the area of medical negligence and malpractice is quite skilled in handling these types of cases and will work hard to get you the justice you deserve. These professionals will contact all parties involved, complete an investigation into what exactly took place and what should have been done, will collect evidence and medical records, will interview witnesses, and will arrange for expert testimony if necessary. From start to finish, your attorney will handle every aspect of your case so that you can focus your time and energy on your personal recovery.
In the event that you have lost a loved one to this form of infection, a personal injury attorney can file a wrongful death claim to seek damages for your loss. While an attorney cannot undo the harm that has already been done, he or she can help you to cover many of the expenses that are incurred for medical care, funeral costs, and loss of income.
Because most personal injury attorneys do not require any type of payment upfront, you will not have to worry about the expense of pursuing a legal claim. This will allow you the comfort of knowing your case is being handled professionally and that you have someone on your side working hard to bring those responsible for your injuries to justice, and that your legal rights are fully protected.
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