160 chapter 19
Treatment
• Whenever possible get experienced medical help.
• If treated early with antibiotics such as penicillin or vancomycin in the right
dosage, sometimes the infection will go away and not come back. If possible,
a sample of the pus should be studied (cultured) by a medical laboratory to find
out what kind of infection it is and what medicine is likely to work best. Usually
the medicine must be given in the vein for a long time (months).
• If you cannot get the pus cultured, you might try treating the infection
with penicillin V or dicloxacillin. Use relatively high doses. For dosage and
precautions, see Where There Is No Doctor. Also seek medical help.
• Surgery may be needed to remove the dead, infected bone.
• Sometimes amputation is necessary (see p. 227).
• Even with excellent treatment, after months or years without problems, new
sores may open and again begin to drain from the infected bone.
Rehabilitation and aids
What kind of rehabilitation or
orthopedic aids may be needed will
depend on the amount of destruction
that has occurred. Sometimes surgery
cannot be obtained or the person may
prefer to live with the problem rather
than with an amputated limb.
For prevention, rehabilitation, and
aids, see Chapters 24, 26, and 58 on
pressure sores, leprosy, and braces.
When there has been a
lot of bone destruction,
sometimes a brace can
help make walking easier.
Large hole down to the bone
in the foot of a woman with a
bone infection (osteomyelitis).
She has had this problem since
childhood 30 years before.
WARNING: The pus from the infected bone may cause serious infections in other
persons. Wash hands often. Wear gloves when handling anything with
blood or body fluids on it. Take great care with hygiene.
Change bandages regularly. Try to burn or bury used bandages.
Before burying bandages, put them in 2 plastic bags or wrap them in
enough newspaper to stop any leaks.
If bandages are to be reused, soak them in cold water with a little bleach and
then boil them before using them again. Mix just enough bleach solution for 1 day.
Do not use it again the next day. It will not be strong enough to kill germs anymore.
Disabled village Children