My friend has been suffering from chronic osteomyelitis. Because we are from a developing country, the treatment wasn't effective; he has had dozen of operations. But now I'm in Europe and I have the power to help my friend. So, my question is, is there a way to completely heal chronic osteomyelitis? I don't want to lose my friend's hope...
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Answers by: Mrsheatherlodder | webuff | ramster6 | hodges2121 | actuxjosh | Amorphus | nooraiz | rem1x | kggksanjay
I am sorry to hear about your friend.
from the findings from medical websites on the internet, i was able to find the following details.
1) preliminary tests help to decide what kind of treatment is appropriate;
Tests to confirm the diagnosis
If you have typical symptoms coming from an infection of a leg bone then the diagnosis may be fairly clear. However, pain coming from 'deeper' bones such as the spine or pelvis can be due to a number of causes. A scan of the bone will help to confirm the diagnosis. (A plain x-ray is not so useful in the early stages of osteomyelitis as an x-ray can be normal for up to a week or so after the infection starts.)
Tests to find which bacterium is causing the infection
The blood often contains some bacteria from the bone infection. Samples of blood are sent to the 'lab' to identify which type of bacterium is causing the infection. This is important as it will help to decide which is the best treatment. (Some bacteria are 'resistant' to some antibiotics.)
If the blood tests do not show any bacteria, then a biopsy (small sample) of the affected bone is needed to send to the lab.
Treatment for osteomyelitis?
Antibiotics
An antibiotic is usually started as soon as possible. The initial antibiotic chosen is one that is likely to kill the bacteria which commonly causes osteomyelitis. However, the antibiotic is sometimes changed to a different one when the results of the tests confirm which bacterium is causing the infection. (Some bacteria are resistant to some antibiotics.)
The symptoms may settle quite quickly after you start taking an antibiotic. However, you need to continue taking the antibiotic for several weeks. This is to make sure all infection has gone from the bone.
Surgery
You will usually need an operation if:
* An abscess develops. The pus in an abscess needs to be drained.
* The infection presses on other important structures. For example, an infection in the spine may press on the spinal cord.
* The infection has become 'chronic' (persistent) and some bone has been destroyed. Dead and infected bone may need to be removed to allow the infection to clear. Sometimes plastic surgery is needed at the same time to cover any wound to give the best chance of cure.
Rarely, amputation of a foot or leg is needed if infection persists in a leg bone and does not clear with any other treatment.
Hyperbaric oxygen
This may be considered if the infection does not clear. It involves going into a chamber where the pressure of oxygen you breathe is higher than normal. This raises the amount of oxygen in your blood which helps in various conditions. Some evidence suggests that surgery and antibiotics combined with hyperbaric oxygen may help in cases of persistent (chronic) osteomyelitis that have not been helped by surgery and antibiotics alone. Further research is needed to clarify this.
Related links:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteomyelitis/DS00759/DSECTION=8
http://www.emedicine.com/RADIO/topic502.htm
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3794/is_200206/ai_n9100287