How Can Osteomyelitis Develop In Non-healing Wounds Other Than The Foot? A Review By Doctors

Osteomyelitis image

Expert opinion from Israel B Dos Santos

Master of Public Health · 1 years of experience · Brazil

Osteomyelitis can be acute (diagnosed within 2 weeks of the onset of signs and symptoms) or chronic (reoccurs in a patient with a history of osteomyelitis). It can be further classified as hematogenous (caused by pathogens carried in the bloodstream from sites of infection in other parts of the body) or exogenous (caused by pathogens that enter from outside the body, from open fractures, surgical sites, and penetrating wounds). Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis occurs most frequently in children, especially those with sickle cell disease, and affects the long bones (femur, tibia, humerus, pelvis). Chronic osteomyelitis occurs most frequently in adults, especially those with diabetes, open fractures, implanted hardware, and vascular insufficiency. In the diabetic population with vascular insufficiency, the bones most affected are the small bones in the foot.

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Expert opinion from Shobha S Reddy

MBBS, Masters in Diabetology, General Practitioner & Diabetologist · 15 years of experience · India

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone, a rare but serious condition. Bones become infected when the infection spreads through the bloodstream into the bone or an open fracture or surgery may expose the bile to infection. In most cases, bacteria called staphylococcus aureus causes osteomyelitis. People with diabetes, HIV, or PVD are prone to chronic osteomyelitis which persists or recurs despite treatment. It usually occurs on feet in diabetic patients. Treatment involves antibiotics, surgery to prevent worsening of osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis develops in non-healing wounds through the blood spread of infection or the spread of infection to nearby tissues.

Expert opinion from Ilya Aleksandrovskiy

M.D., MBA · 5 years of experience · USA

Any deep soft tissue wound adjacent to bone can be the source of osteomyelitis.

Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors, and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.