Osteomyelitis

Question 1

what is Osteomyelitis

Answer 1

inflammation of the bone due to bacterial/ fungal infection

Question 2

what is the most common causative agent of osteomyelitis

Answer 2

Staphylococcus aureus

Question 3

what is the difference between chronic and acute Osteomyelitis

Answer 3

acute- usually due to one organism

chronic- usually polymicrobial

Question 4

what are some risk factors for osteomyelitis

Answer 4

diabetes, immunosuppresion, IV drug use, artificial joints, bleeding disorders such as SCA, malnutrition, peripheral vascular disease and malignancy

Question 5

what are the presenting symptoms of acute osteomyelitis

Answer 5

fever, pain, swelling, redness

Question 6

what are the presenting symptoms of chronic osteomyelitis

Answer 6

malaise, fatigue, long Hx of pain, wound drainage

limited RoM

Question 7

what investigations will be done

Answer 7

Bloods- FBC, blood culture, ESR, CRP

imaging- X-ray of affected area

swab of the wound/ drainage

Question 8

how to treat/ manage osteomyelitis

Answer 8

antibiotics (min 4-6 weeks), analgesia

treating chronic osteomyelitis may involve surgical cleaning

Question 9

complications of osteomyelitis

Answer 9

infection reccurence and fracture due to weakened bone

Question 10

prognosis

Answer 10

with early diagnosis and adequate treatment, there is recovery with no long term complications