In 9/07 I went to a local clinic due to a cervical spasm. I was injected with Toradol/Decadron and IV. My WBC count was normal. I began to run a high fever and pain all over. On 9/29/07 my WBC was high 11.7. I couldn't get out of bed (fever/pain). On 10/1, I was taken to ER in an extreme amount of pain, fever and boils. I was diagnosed with MRSA, admitted and placed on antibiotics due to bacteremia. I continuously complained to the Orthopedist and Fisiatrist about severe pain in my right hip and left shoulder and excessive night sweats (drenched!). They said it was probably due to the infection and should go away. The pain in my right hip was so bad I couldn't get up to go to the bathroom. If I did, the pain would elevate my blood pressure. We asked the Orthopedist to order an MRI. He said no because it wouldn't show anything and it would be hard to get approval from our insurance company because I was admitted for bacteremia. The MRI was finally ordered on 10/12. The MRI impression says there is "suspicion of an infectious/inflammatory process aspiration is recommended". This was not done and my wife specifically asked about Osteomyelitis (I am diabetic) and the Orthopedist said I didn't have it. Treatment was not changed. I was released on 10/19 with a normal WBC but SED rate at 108. Still no diagnosis for the intense pain, elevated SED rate and excessive night sweats. I then had a Bone Scan on 10/26 and Gallium on 10/29. They came back with a "High probability of active infection (septic arthritis and/or osteomyelitis) in the left sternoclavicular and right coxofemoral regions and right femoral greater trochanter". I was admitted for Osteomyelitis and put on Vancomycin. The same Orthopedist was assigned and again did not agree with the diagnosis. We asked if he should extract infectious fluid, perform surgery, etc. He said no. My SED rate remained between 120 and 140. I was released on 11/7 with Vancomycin ordered IV at home. Around 11/15 I was taken off of Vancomycin by and Infectologist because I was not responding. His diagnosis was Osteomyelitis based on my SED rate which was around 130 and referred me to an Orthopedist. On 12/18 I saw a highly recommended Orthopedist who said I had hip damage and referred me to his collegue who specializes in Osteomyelitis. He saw me on 1/11/08 and once he saw an X-ray immediately said I needed hip replacement surgery. Infection had eaten away my femur. Since then I have had 3 hip replacements and have still not recovered. Can I sue based on the following:
1) I was infected with MRSA at the local clinic because my WBC was normal and aside from the muscle spasm I was otherwise healthy. (I am diabetic) and
2) had the Orthopedist paid more attention to my symptoms and the MRI and performed a culture to test for Acute Osteomylitis I could have been properly diagnosed and treated without losing my hip.
I have been out of work for almost seven months, my wife does not work and I have a daughter at home in college. I do not have long term disability benefits from my employer.

