title: Posttraumatic tibial osteomyelitis: diagnosis, classification, and treatment.
abstract: The problem of osteomyelitis has, to date, not been completely resolved. Recent research has provided additional insight into the pathogenesis of bone infection. Advances in pharmacology and in surgical techniques have enhanced our ability to treat such infections. Despite these advances, successful treatment of posttraumatic tibial osteomyelitis depends on adherence to several basic principles: complete debridement of necrotic and infected tissue, obtaining bony stability, the elimination of dead space, and the provision of durable soft tissue coverage. Armed with this new knowledge and surgical ability, treatment results have improved. We do not know, however, whether osteomyelitis can ever be "cured," since infections become manifest many years after injury or treatment.
authors.affiliation: Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Meadows
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Zuckerman
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Koval
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents