Osteomyelitis

Management: Surgical

This is the last port of call

If the disease progresses or if radiology shows progressive bone destruction important to consider. Once dead bone or a biofilm has been established this is very hard to treat using Abx alone.

Chronic OM can only be managed surgically through debridement and good wound care post-operatively.

Should always be referred to orthopaedics at this point.

To treat the Osteomyelitis, Treat the lesion overlying it!!

Once the biofilm has been established it is nearly impossible to treat with abx alone. At this point its classified as chronic OM and can only be treated with surgical debridement. At this point ortho involvement should already have been established.

Its often the case in diabetic foot patients where there is ulceration on the foot and there likely is some degree of OM present, however with good wound care and management of the overlying lesion this can be managed effectively. Good debridement, sanitation and dressing is key.