The most common are Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis and Pseudomonas aeruginoa. The particular bacteria in your wound will not usually affect treatment, rather only the antibiotics used during your hospitalization and post operative recovery. Compromised patients have decreased healing potential when compared to uncompromised patients. Conditions which may classify you as a compromised healer include diabetes, use of steroids, poor nutrition, extensive scarring or use of tobacco products. It is important that we know about your medical conditions prior to beginning treatment.
Tobacco use is one of the most common compromising factors in patients treated in the United States.
Indeed, some surgeries are even considered contra-indicated and are not offered to patients abusing tobacco. If you continue to use tobacco products , your surgery may be canceled. Staging is used as a way of letting all team members know what type treatment will be needed. It also allows us to compare similar patients and outcomes so that we can continue to evaluate our effectiveness in treating osteomyelitis. Until recently, osteomyelitis and its treatment have been poorly understood by both the medical community and, in turn, the general public.