Some aspects of long-term results of treatment of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis

Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the treatment results of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis over 10 years and to determine the relationship between them and clinical course of the disease.
Materials and methods. The patients with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis diagnosed 10 years ago (1995–1996) were enrolled in the study. The post mail or phone contacts with them or their parents were obtained, the questions were submitted, and the patients were invited for medical examination. The current complaints and limitations in physical activity were assessed. The amplitude of joint movements, tenderness during palpation, and deformations were evaluated during physical examination. Patients were divided into two groups: with and without complaints. The duration and severity of the disease, age, gender, presence of sepsis, arthritis, and subperiosteal abscess, the type of bone affected and bone lesion on x-ray, duration of fever, and maximal erythrocyte sedimentation rate during the acute period were compared between groups.
Results. We made 50 phone calls and sent seven letters to the patients with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis who were treated in our department. In 14 (28%) cases, phone contact was obtained, and 7 of them were examined. Five answers (71%) to the letters were received. The overall response rate was 33%. Thirteen (68%) former patients had no any complaints; six (32%) had minor complaints, which were probably linked to acute hematogenous osteomyelitis. Fifteen (79%) former patients had no limitations in any physical activities, and four (21%) of them limit their physical activities. Seven patients were examined, but neither visible deformities and tenderness nor limitations in movement amplitude were found. Comparing the groups with complaints and without complaints by age, gender, presence of sepsis and arthritis, duration of the disease, and the presence of periosteal abscess, no statistically significant difference in any of variables was found.
Conclusions. According to our data, 37% of the patients have complaints 10 years after acute hematogenous osteomyelitis, and these complaints are not associated with the clinical course of the disease.