BIOC33H3 Lecture Notes - Humerus, Osteomyelitis, Epiphyseal Plate
Document Summary
Osteomyelitis is a severe infection of bone, bone marrow, and surrounding soft tissue. Infecting microorganisms can invade by indirect or direct entry. After entering the blood, they lodge in an area of bone and grow which results in increased pressure, eventually leading to bone ischemia. Chronic osteomyelitis is a continuous, persistent problem or a process of exacerbations and remission. Acute symptoms are fever, night sweats, malaise, and constant bone pain. Some immobilization of affected limb (e. g. , splint, traction) is indicated to decrease pain. The patient is frequently on bed rest in the early stages of the acute infection. Vigorous and prolonged iv antibiotic therapy is treatment of choice for acute osteomyelitis. Oral antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and surgery may be prescribed for chronic disease. Most primary bone cancer is called sarcoma. Sarcomas can also develop in cartilage, muscle fibers, fatty tissue, and nerve tissue. Common types are osteogenic sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, ewing"s sarcoma, and chordoma.