Osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle: diagnosis, epidemiology, and treatment

Osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle is a common, potentially devastating condition with diagnostic and treatment challenges. Understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of osteomyelitis can raise clinical suspicion and guide testing and treatments. History and physical examination, laboratory studies, vascular studies, histologic and microbiologic analyses, and various imaging modalities contribute to diagnosis and treatment. Treatment including empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgery should take a multidisciplinary approach to optimize patient factors, ensure eradication of the infection, and restore function. Optimization of vascular status, soft tissues, limb biomechanics, and physiologic state of the patient must be considered to accelerate and ensure healing.