Bone Infections

About Bone Infections

Infection of bone (osteomyelitis) remains one of the most challenging problems in the field of Orthopedic Surgery. The infection can be associated with purulent drainage from a sinus tract that runs from the bone to the skin. Alternatively, bacteria may lay dormant for years, hiding within the honeycomb structure of bone and may reactivate at any time.

Bone Infection Treatment Options

Antibiotics, alone, are rarely curative. Treatment consists of surgical debridement (removal) of infected and non-viable bone, local high dose local antimicrobial therapy via antibiotic beads, intravenous antibiotics and soft tissue reconstruction as needed. Bony reconstruction is indicated in cases requiring complete removal of a section of structural bone.

With proper treatment, even the most longstanding cases of bone infection can be cured and the patient’s quality of life can be substantially improved or returned to normal. Because of the complex nature of this area of orthopedics, choosing a surgeon who has vast experience treating bone infections is extremely important

Bone Infections Treated by Dr. Brinker*

*This chart does not represent all of Dr. Brinker's Cases.