Osteomyelitis: Pathogenesis, Clinical and Therapeutic Challenge

Osteomyelitis refers to bone inflammation due to infection. Osteomyelitis is progressive infection (acute, sub-acute, and chronic to persistent) that results in inflammatory destruction, necrosis, and bone deformation secondary to pyogenic bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi. In children, the long bones are usually affected but in the adults, the vertebrae and the pelvis are most commonly involved. Many classification systems are available based on etiology, pathogenesis, and degree of bone involvement, duration, mechanism of infection, and presence of vascular insufficiency as well as age and the immune condition of the patient. Diabetic foot ulcers lead to bony infections resulting into high morbidity & mortality therefore, special attention is required.This paper reviews the microbiologic, clinical and non-surgical therapeutic considerations of osteomyelitis, with brief description of rare osteomyelitis of SAPHOsyndrome.