Osteomyelitis (bone infection) Discussion

Osteomyelitis (bone infection) of the upper extremity is a difficult problem which often results in permanent deformity. In children, bone infection of brief duration may be treated with antibiotics, but most other scenarios require a combination of prolonged antibiotic treatment and surgery to remove the infected bone. Osteomyelitis is staged according to duration, location, condition of the surrounding soft tissue cover, function of the extremity beyond the area of infection, and radiographic appearance according to the following system:

I Medullary

II Superficial

III Cortical and medullary - localized

IV Cortical and medullary - diffuse

This is a limb-threatening problem which frequently requires several operations and often leads to amputation.

Discussion Home Page