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Osteomyelitis — Orthopedic Consultation — Clinical Pathway: Emergency and Inpatient

Osteomyelitis Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department and Inpatient

Orthopedic Consultation

Reasons to Consult Orthopedics

Indications for Surgical Intervention
  • Subperiosteal abscess
  • Intramuscular abscess
  • Effusion adjacent to osteomyelitis
  • Bone destruction on plain X-ray
  • Subacute or chronic presentation
  • Failure to respond medical treatment
  • Continued C-reactive protein elevation
  • Persistently positive blood cultures
  • Other diagnostic considerations
High Risk Location
  • Involvement of the physis (growth plate)
  • Femur, distal fibula, or proximal humerus, radius or tibia

 

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