Pathophysiology of Osteomyelitis

Risk factors
Untreated abscess
History of bone trauma (open fracture of
long bone)
Age
Sex
Causative agent (Staphylococcus aureus)
Thru blood stream

Organisms grow & multiply in the area

Sudden pain on the

Inflammatory response
affected side
Tenderness
Formation of purulent exudate Heat
Swelling
Restricted movement
Phagocytes generate toxic oxygen radicals & release Tachycardia
proteolytic enzymes that destroy surrounding tissue Sudden fever
Nausea
Purulent drainage ensues spread into the bone Malaise
Increased WBC
Increased ESR
Increase intraosseous pressure

Obstruction by septic thrombus

Ischemic necrosis of bone

Process continues

New Bone separates from the surrounding

bone to form devascularized fragments

Formation of sheath of new bone – involucrum