Long-term antibiotic treatment in geriatric diabetic foot infection

A case report involving a 77-year old diabetic patient with an arterial foot ulcer and subsequent osteomyelitic infection is presented. Due to the patient's ineligibility for surgical intervention, long term antibiotic treatment based upon multiple culture, bone biopsy, radiograms and isotope scanning was initiated. Complete resolution of the osteomyelitis defined by subjective as well as objective criteria was achieved after three months of antibiotic treatment. The common and atypical characteristics of the geriatric population coupled with treatment plan involving a multidisciplinary approach resulted in maintaining foot function and pain-free ambulation in this 77-year old patient.