Guide To Preventing And Treating Periostitis

Periostitis is the inflammation of the tissue surrounding the bone. This is commonly found in individuals who partake in repetitive movements, like jumping, running, or lifting heavy weights. Periostitis can be acute or chronic. Acute presentations are usually due to an infection accompanied by fever, pus, and severe pain. They can be the result of an injury that does not heal and makes its way to the bone. It can also be caused by illnesses such as a urinary tract infection. Chronic conditions are usually due to persistent stress on the bones or trauma. The condition typically affects the legs, but can also be found in the arms and spine.

Learn about the ways in which periostitis can be treated and prevented now.

Surgical Debridement

Acute periostitis can be caused by an infection. When diagnosed, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. But this is not the end of the treatment. The doctor must make sure any tissue or bone that suffered necrosis is removed. Removing this tissue from the bone will help prevent the infection from spreading any further. This process is called surgical debridement, and it involves cleaning out the infected bone and tissue and anything that is dead. Many cases of periostitis are caused by repetitive actions. Therefore, these injuries will be more internal and require surgery to successfully clean out the area. Cases resulting from a wound not healing and making its way down to the bone can be done surgically through the wound site or by using special dressings. It is critical to get all the components of the infection so it does not come back.

Uncover details on the next method of treating periostitis now.

Course Of Antibiotics

Sometimes periostitis is caused by an infection or underlying disease. It is necessary to treat the patient with a course of antibiotics so the infection is killed, and it cannot spread further into the bone or to other parts of the body. Infections are dangerous and can kill healthy tissue and bone. Additionally, if the patient needs to have surgery to either remove infected or dead tissue or to address a more chronic condition, they will need to take antibiotics to make sure an infection does not take hold. Hospitals are full of ways to get an infection, even if the patient did not go in with one. Therefore, patients may be given prophylactic antibiotics to reduce the chance of any complications because of the surgery. And, if a patient is at a higher risk for infection, antibiotics may be used.

Continue reading for more options for treating and preventing periostitis now.