diabetes and bone disease

[titojim]

Folowing an acident where I amputated my thumb with an axe, it was re attatched, however, the bone was diseased.
The surgeon tried to save the thumb but eventually had to amputate it, and within a week my hand was healed.
However, when I contacted my insurance company about a claim, they said the surgeon put in his letter that my diabetes may have caused me to lose the thumb.
I know diabetes can slow healing, but can it infect a bone with a disease?
It was diagnosed as being disdeased a month after the accidernt.

 

[cugila]

As I understand it bones are usually resistant to infections, however there may be circumstances where bacteria or fungal infections can also infect the bone. Here are some of the ways that infection can happen........

• A pre-existing infection in the blood may spread to a bone.

• A bone may become infected as a result of an injury, such as a bone fracture, or as a complication of a surgical operation, such as a hip replacement.

• A bone can become infected due to a pre-existing health condition such as diabetes. This often occurs because the bone is not getting a steady supply of blood (more specifically, a supply of infection-fighting white blood cells).

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Osteomyeli ... auses.aspx

As your question would appear to be connected to an Insurance Claim it is imperative you get proper advice from a Solicitor specialising in medical claims. CAB might also be able to help, contact your local centre. It might also be an idea to get a second opinion.

MIGHT.......does not always mean DID ! Room for negotiation I think........

 

[hanadr]

Osteomyelitis is sometimes associated with diabetes.
If you had a diagnosis of that, then you need to ask the surgeon for details. Neuropathy can also cause severe damage to fingers and toes. It soulds like you need a proper diagnosis. " Might have been" isn't good enough
Hana

 

[sugarless sue]

Folowing an acident where I amputated my thumb with an axe, it was re attatched, however, the bone was diseased.

First of all, when you cut off the thumb how long was it before the said thumb was picked up and then put in a medium that protected it from deterioration till the surgeon got it ? Deterioration of an amputated digit would start very quickly after the traumatic amputation.

The surgeon tried to save the thumb but eventually had to amputate it, and within a week my hand was healed.

The fact that you healed up, like a normal non diabetic, within a week strikes me as significant. If you were a badly controlled diabetic then you would not have healed so quickly.

However, when I contacted my insurance company about a claim, they said the surgeon put in his letter that my diabetes may have caused me to lose the thumb.

Under the Data Protection Act you are entitled to see any case notes made during the time of your accident. I suggest you get copies and get expert help interpreting these notes.

I know diabetes can slow healing, but can it infect a bone with a disease?
It was diagnosed as being disdeased a month after the accidernt.