What Are the Treatments for Chronic Osteomyelitis?

Chronic osteomyelitis is characterized by recurrent bone infections. The chronic form mostly affects adults. The infection typically enters the bone from the bloodstream, neighboring tissue or originates in the bone itself if trauma exposes it to germs. The bones of the arms and legs are the most commonly affected. It is a serious condition, but many successful treatments are available to you to keep the infection from spreading and saving the infected bone.

General Treatment Information

• If you have chronic osteomyelitis, you will either need surgery or antibiotics. Surgery will depend on what bone is infected, and you may need multiple types of procedures at once. If you have any metal plates or rods from previous procedures, they might have to be removed. If you are a poor candidate for surgery due to bad health or a variety of other factors, you will receive a course of antibiotics to suppress the infection. Your course of treatment can last anywhere from a few weeks to the rest of your life, but it is not guaranteed to cure it. If the drugs cannot clear the infection and it persists, amputation of the affected arm or leg might be required.

Drainage and Debridement

• The area around the infected bone might need to be drained to remove any pus or fluids that have built up as a result of the infection.Debridement involves removing diseased bone and tissue. The surgeon will also remove a small margin of healthy bone to ensure all infected material has been removed. Any nearby tissue showing signs of infection is also usually removed.

Restore Blood Flow

• After the debridement procedure, you will have empty spaces where the infected bone and tissue was once located. The surgeon might fill this space with another piece of bone or tissue, like skin or muscle. If he cannot perform a graft at that moment, he will use temporary filler until you can receive a grafting procedure. Grafting encourages your body to fix damaged blood vessels and construct new bone.

Stabilization

• You might need metal plates, rods or screws put into your bone to stabilize the affected bone and new grafts. This might be done at the same time as your surgery or at a later date.

Antibiotics

• If you cannot undergo surgery, you will need antibiotics to treat the infection. Your doctor will first need to determine what bacteria or fungus is causing the infection and will perform a bone biopsy. Once the offending organism has been identified, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic with the highest chance of success in fighting off the infection. Intravenous (IV) antibiotics are usually used, but you might also receive oral medication. You will be on them for at least four to six weeks but in some cases, you might need to take them for several years or even for the rest of your life. Antibiotics can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They also suppress the "friendly" bacteria in the intestines that boost immunity and promote gastrointestinal health. Talk to your doctor about using a probiotic supplement to replenish the supply of helpful bacteria.

Self-Care

• Quit smoking; it makes it harder to fight off infection. Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables as they contain many beneficial substances that build immunity and help fight off harmful organisms. Take care to manage any other health conditions that impede your body's ability to battle infection. If you get a cut or scrape, be sure to clean it thoroughly and cover it to keep bacteria from entering your body.