Osteomyelitis Flashcards
Most common microorganism
Staphylococcus aureus
Indirect entry
spinal cord,
more with kids
Hematogenous
Direct entry
Adults
- Open wound
- Foreign body presence (e.g., implanted prosthesis)
- Diabetic or vascular ulcers, or pressure injuries
- Generally multiple organisms
Microorganisms enter blood and grow, increasing
pressure in bone-leading to ischemia & vascular compromise
Ischemia results
bone death
Dead bone separates from living bone forming
sequestra
Periosteum with blood supply forms
new bone called involucrum
Acute osteomyelitis is infection less than
1 month in duration
Local manifestations
i. Constant pain that worsens with activity; is unrelieved by rest
ii. Swelling, tenderness, warmth
iii. Restricted movement
Systemic manifestations
i. Fever
ii. Night sweats
iii. Chills
iv. Restlessness
v. Nausea
vi. Malaise
vii. Drainage (late)
Chronic osteomyelitis
longer than a month or has failed to respond to initial antibiotic treatment
Complications (long-term/rare):
i. Septicemia
ii. Septic arthritis
iii. Pathologic fractures
Chronic Osteomyelitis of Femur
c. Systemic manifestations reduced
d. Local signs of infection more common
i. Pain, swelling, warmth
Avascular scar tissue cannot
be penetrated by antibiotics
Diagnostic studies
a. Bone or soft tissue biopsy
b. Blood and/or wound cultures
i. Checking for septic
c. WBC count
d. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
i. elevated
e. C reactive protein
i. Elevated
f. X-rays/ MRI/ CT scans
i. Won’t show up in xray for 2 weeks or so
g. Bone scans
h. Radionuclide WBC scan
i. Tags to WBC and tags to site of inflammation