With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the prognosis for osteomyelitis is good. Antibiotics regimes are used for four to eight weeks and sometimes longer in the treatment of osteomyelitis depending on the bacteria that caused it and the response of the patient. Commonly, patients can make a full recovery without longstanding complications. However, if there is a long delay in diagnosis or treatment, or if there is significant bone and soft tissue injury due to trauma with compromised local blood supply, it can lead to permanent functional deficits and/or make the patient more prone to reoccurrence. If surgery or bone grafting is needed, this will prolong the time it takes to recover. Previous contributing author: Jason C. Eck, DO, MS