Persistent osteomyelitis

Abstract

Chronic persistent osteitis/osteomyelitis is defined as an acute bone infection persisting for more than six weeks despite adequate therapy. Chronic infection may persist for a life-time. Infected tissues with impaired perfusion have been shown to benefit form hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. Multiple surgical interventions and long-term antibiotic therapy are regularly necessary in osteomyelitis. Limb salvage is not always possible. Therapy of various orthopaedic diseases with HBO is established. Specifically, in chronic osteitis/osteomyelitis, adjunctive HBO therapy is an effective modality within the multidisciplinary treatment concept