Abstract
The current study was designed to explore the epidemiology of extremities chronic osteomyelitis, its prognosis and the complications of the treatment methods being used in southwest China. The data from osteomyelitis patients treated at the Department of Orthopaedics, Southwest Hospital, China between May 2011 and September 2016 were collected and analysed. The study comprised 503 admitted patients, of which 416 males and 87 were females, with an average age of 40.15 ± 5.64 years. Approximately 356 cases were followed for more than 18 months; the average bone union time was 6.24 ± 0.76 months in 94.1% (335) patients, and infections were almost controlled in 93.8% patients. The rate of infection control with the induced membrane technique was higher than with the I-stage free bone graft. Iliac infection was the main complication of the induced membrane technique, and impaired joint activity was the main complication of I-stage free bone grafts. In southwest China, the incidence of haematogenous osteomyelitis, caused mainly by Staphylococcus aureus, remains very high. The speed of bone defect repair and the rate of infection control with the induced membrane technique were superior to those of I-stage free bone grafts. Internal fixation should be given priority because it offers reduced complications with no increase in the recurrence of infection.
Highlights
The current study was designed to explore the epidemiology of extremities chronic osteomyelitis, its prognosis and the complications of the treatment methods being used in southwest China
Southwest China is characterised by several features: i) the incidence of osteomyelitis is considerably higher than in other parts of China, ii) there is a shortage of well-trained physicians specialized in addressing bone infections, and iii) patients are forced to seek treatment in a few select hospitals
We aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of osteomyelitis in southwest China and to observe the treatment and prognosis of this disease
Summary
The current study was designed to explore the epidemiology of extremities chronic osteomyelitis, its prognosis and the complications of the treatment methods being used in southwest China. The rate of infection control with the induced membrane technique was higher than with the I-stage free bone graft. The speed of bone defect repair and the rate of infection control with the induced membrane technique were superior to those of I-stage free bone grafts. Southwest China is characterised by several features: i) the incidence of osteomyelitis is considerably higher than in other parts of China, ii) there is a shortage of well-trained physicians specialized in addressing bone infections, and iii) patients are forced to seek treatment in a few select hospitals. There are few prominent hospitals, which lack relevant reports and authentic data In this context, we aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of osteomyelitis in southwest China and to observe the treatment and prognosis of this disease
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