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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2019; 52(01): 062-072
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1687920
Review Article
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India

Management of Post-Traumatic Osteomyelitis in the Lower Limb: Current State of the Art

James K. K. Chan
1   Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
2   Bone Infection Unit, Oxford University Hospitals, United Kingdom
,
Jamie Y. Ferguson
2   Bone Infection Unit, Oxford University Hospitals, United Kingdom
,
Matthew Scarborough
2   Bone Infection Unit, Oxford University Hospitals, United Kingdom
,
Martin A. McNally
2   Bone Infection Unit, Oxford University Hospitals, United Kingdom
,
Alex J. Ramsden
2   Bone Infection Unit, Oxford University Hospitals, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
29 April 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Osteomyelitis (OM) of the lower limb represents a large unmet global healthcare burden. It often arises from a contiguous focus of infection and is a recognized complication of open fractures or their surgical treatment, arthroplasty, and diabetic foot ulcers. Historically, this debilitating condition is associated with high rates of recurrence and secondary amputation. However, excellent long-term outcomes are now achieved by adopting a multidisciplinary approach with meticulous surgical debridement, skeletal and soft tissue reconstruction, and tailored antimicrobial treatment. This review focuses on the modern evidence-based management of post-traumatic OM in the lower limb from a reconstructive plastic surgery perspective, highlighting the latest developments and areas of controversy.

Keywords

osteomyelitis - soft tissue reconstruction - lower limb
 

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