Six-figure settlement for delayed diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the wrist

We have recently settled a claim for a woman who experienced a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of her severe bone infection.

Our client worked as a nurse. One evening, she slipped downstairs and injured her right (dominant) wrist. The next day, her wrist felt unusual and she could not move it well. She attended A&E at the hospital where she worked. After an examination and X-ray which revealed no break, she was discharged with a diagnosis of a sprain.

Over the next week, things got worse. She struggled to use her wrist and could not grip. She felt feverish. Her wrist was red and she had a rash. The pain was so extreme that she thought she was going to die. She re-attended A&E and was reviewed and given painkillers, but no one examined her wrist. She was sent for an X-ray which was reported as normal and then discharged home with a splint. The plan was to arrange a virtual fracture clinic follow-up appointment but that follow-up did not happen. 

Around three weeks later, our client was still suffering and so made arrangements for a private appointment with a consultant orthopaedic hand and wrist surgeon. The private surgeon arranged an MRI which showed osteomyelitis in the wrist (bone marrow infection). 

Our client underwent emergency surgery the next day. The infected and dead tissue was debrided and an antibiotic-loaded spacer implant was inserted. Carpal tunnel decompression was performed and an external fixation device was applied. She later underwent two further surgeries including a skin graft.

She was left with reduced function and strength in her wrist, as well as scarring and psychiatric injuries. She had to retire early and required care and equipment to help her with everyday tasks. 

We sought expert evidence and alleged that the defendant should have carried out a physical examination of our client's wrist when she returned to A&E with severe pain. This would have revealed her infection sooner, before much of the damage was done. She would have avoided the extensive surgery she required and would have retained far more of her wrist strength and function. 

The defendant trust admitted that there were failings in the care but denied the extent of our client's injuries. We were able to negotiate a six-figure settlement which will go some way to compensating her for her life-long injuries. 

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