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Osteomyelitis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Treatment:

The objective of treatment is to eliminate the infection and prevent it from getting worse.

Antibiotics will be given to destroy the bacteria that are causing the infection.

For infections that do not go away, surgery may be needed to remove dead bone tissue. 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. Antibiotics are continued for at least 6 weeks after surgery.

Infection of an orthopedic prosthesis may require surgical removal of the prosthesis and infected tissue surrounding the area. A new prosthesis may be implanted in the same operation or delayed until the infection has gone away.

Expectations (prognosis):

When treatment is received, the outcome for acute osteomyelitis is usually good.

The outlook is worse for chronic osteomyelitis, even with surgery. Amputation may be needed, especially in diabetics or other patients with poor blood circulation. The outlook is guarded in those who have an infection of a prosthesis.

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: 8/15/2006
• Reviewed By: Hilary M. Babcock, M.D., Medical Director of Occupational Infection Control, Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's Hospitals; Instructor of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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