When treatment success is not as black and white as a radiograph: the bio/psycho/social impact of chronic osteomyelitis

Abstract

This case report is from Malawi Beit CURE international Hospital (BCIH), a center of excellence for the  management of chronic osteomyelitis (COM) in children. Currently minimal evidence based data exists on the long term outcomes for treatment of bone defects following COM. Few studies evaluating outcomes are based solely on clinical parameters. This case study highlights the often-debilitating outcome after treatment and hence the need for further research to find the most effective treatment to create treatment guidelines. It particularly demonstrates the importance of the bio/psycho/social impact of long-term morbidity and disability, which must be considered alongside clinical outcomes in evaluation.

Key words: Osteomyelitis, bone deformity, disability, Malawi