Osteomyelitis Overview, Diagnosis, and Management

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostics, and management of acute and chronic osteomyelitis based on lecture notes.

Osteomyelitis

A severe bone infection accompanied by inflammation and loss of function, which can potentially lead to chronic pain or amputation.

Staphylococcus aureus (Staph aureus)

The bacterium most commonly responsible for causing osteomyelitis.

Indirect Entry

A route of bone infection where bacteria travel through the bloodstream from another site (e.g., skin infection or UTI), typically seen in pediatric patients and most often affecting the long bones.

Direct Entry

A route of bone infection occurring directly via an open fracture, puncture wound, surgery, or infected prosthetic hardware, commonly seen in adults.

Acute Osteomyelitis

A bone infection lasting less than a month that presents with both local signs of inflammation (redness, warmth, pain, swelling) and systemic signs of infection (fever, nausea, chills, fatigue).

Chronic Osteomyelitis

A bone infection persisting for a couple of months or longer that typically presents with localized inflammatory signs at the site of infection but lacks systemic signs of infection.

Periosteum

The outer covering of the bone that can lift or rupture when pus and pressure compile and spread through tiny bone channels.

Sequestrum

A segment of dead bone tissue resulting from osteomyelitis infection.

Involucrum

The new shell of bone produced by the body around dead bone tissue following periosteal rupture.

Typical Bone Pain in Osteomyelitis

A constant, localized pain that pulsates and worsens with movement, which may be blunted in individuals with vascular issues or neuropathy.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

The diagnostic modality preferred over X-ray to identify early bone changes and detect abscess formation in osteomyelitis.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

A non-specific serum marker that indicates inflammation by measuring how quickly red blood cells settle when carrying white blood cells.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

A non-specific inflammatory marker synthesized and released by the liver that may not elevate in patients with liver failure or cirrhosis.

Surgical Debridement

The surgical excision of dead or necrotic tissue from an infected site to promote healing.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

An adjunctive, outpatient treatment modality that exposes an affected limb or area to high concentrations of oxygen to promote tissue healing.

Foot Drop

A complication caused by prolonged immobilization of the leg or foot where contracture develops and the patient loses the ability to flex the foot upward, causing it to dangle forward.