antibiotic therapy

Last reviewed 01/2018

Chronic osteomyelitis is rarely cured by antibiotic therapy alone. Their role is twofold:

  • to prevent the spread of infection to healthy bone
  • to control acute flares of infection

Sensitivity determination of the pathogens is essential. It is also important that the drugs are non-toxic with long term use and that they penetrate bone well. Good examples are clindamycin and cephalosporins.