Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)

by Janet King, RN, BSN, CCRN

This acute inflammation and infection of a bone or bones was usually the result of some type of surgical procedure. Without aseptic and sterile techniques, cutting into the bone almost assured such a disease. In some cases this infection would become chronic with the wound "spitting out" bits of diseased bone for decades, causing much pain and suffering for the soldier - long after the war ended.

At first, the wounded soldier would complain of chills, high fever and severe pain, tenderness, swelling and redness of the skin over the affected bone(s). Eventually the condition would progress and if the patient survived he might be left with an extremely stiff joint or non-functional limb.

1860's Treatments: Quinine; liquor of potassium iodide; morphine; opium and some use of mercurial compounds. "Local treatments" such as rest of the infected part; application of cold compresses; cupping and leeches were also tried. Sometimes operations were performed to cut out the infected areas.

Modern Knowledge: Common bacteria found in cases of osteomyelitis are: streptococci and staphylococci. Today Orthopedic and Infectious Disease doctors would be very aggressive in treating such an infection. Great care is taken not to have this infection occur, as it tends to become chronic and can cause many problems and great destruction of the bone. The surgeon would first attempt to drain or "clean out" the infected area and then place the patient on long term antibiotic therapy (months to year) via the intravenous route. Careful monitoring for reoccurrence and progression of the disease would be done. Modern surgical techniques and the initial treatment of victims of trauma - i.e. gunshot wound victims - have prevented many cases of this disease.

From: vermontcivilwar.org

Posted in: Infection