Osteomyelitis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

X-ray

Skeleton

Osteomyelitis

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Osteomyelitis

Treatment:

The objective of treatment is to eliminate the infection and prevent the development of chronic infection.

Intravenous antibiotics are started early and may later be changed depending on culture results. Some new antibiotics can be very effective when given orally.

In chronic infection, surgical removal of dead bone tissue is usually necessary. The open space left by the removed bone tissue may be filled with bone graft or by packing material to promote the growth of new bone tissue. Antibiotic therapy is continued for at least 3 weeks after surgery.

Infection of an orthopedic prosthesis may require surgical removal of the prosthesis and of the infected tissue surrounding the area. A new prosthesis may be implanted in the same operation or delayed until the infection has resolved, depending on its severity.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is usually good with adequate treatment of acute osteomyelitis.

The prognosis is worse for chronic osteomyelitis, even with surgery. Resistant or extensive chronic osteomyelitis may result in amputation, especially in diabetics or other patients with poor blood circulation.

Complications:

Chronic osteomyelitis
Local spread of infection
Reduced limb or joint function
Amputation

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of osteomyelitis, or if you have osteomyelitis and the symptoms persist despite treatment.

Review Date: 7/8/2004
Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.