MD Podiatrist Discusses Osteomyelitis

According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “Probably the number one fear of most people undergoing a bone or joint operation is infection, with a bone infection likely causing the greatest anxiety. Osteomyelitis (usually shortened to “osteo”) is a tremendous burden to healthcare, leading too often to hospitalization, amputation, and potentially even death.” 
 
“X-rays remain the most effective and accessible technique, but are imprecise, especially after an operation has been performed. The “gold standard” remains a bone biopsy. For years, the treatment recommendation has been for some combination of surgery and antibiotics. The conundrum has been to determine how much of each, and what,” says Dr. Michaels.