Medical malpractice typically occurs when a physician cannot recognize or respond to the signs and symptoms of osteomyelitis.
On many occasions, a simple reading of a patient’s medical records can reveal if they are at higher risk for osteomyelitis. A patient with a recent history of trauma, infection, or orthopedic surgery would fall into this category. Commonly, the patient presents with symptoms of severe pain, redness, and swelling in the infection's location.
Medical malpractice may occur if the physician cannot diagnose osteomyelitis by performing the appropriate diagnostic testing or cannot treat the condition by prescribing the appropriate antibiotics.
Surgery can be avoided with the timely administration of IV antibiotics, making it essential for the physician to pay close attention to the patient's symptoms.