We review 81 cases of acute haematogenous osteomyelitis from 1983 to 1990 to establish current pattern of clinical presentation, modes of treatment and success of therapy. Majority of the patient (70%) presented within a week of symptom and significant number of them came with fever and swelling of the affected limb. Sedimentation rate was found to be raised in all of them. Fifty-four (55%) of them were treated surgically. The average antibiotic time was one week by intravenous administration followed by additional oral therapy for period up to four weeks. Average follow-up was 9 months. Six of them (7.5%) end up with various complication which was believed to be due to delay in getting medical treatment.
This is the first time we encountered a peculiar case of osteomyelitis complicating a closed fracture. The patient was a 38 year-old lady who presented just like any other patient with a closed fracture of the right femur. Intraoperatively we were surprised to find pus from the fracture site. This not only changed the surgical management but altered the subsequent outcome as well.