What are orthopaedic infections and tumours?

Technically, a bone infection is referred to as osteomyelitis. Dr Rose treats infections affecting the soft tissue and joints and prosthetic joint infections. Bone infections are more likely to occur in patients with autoimmune conditions, underlying conditions such as cancer, arthritis or organ transplantation and those on immunosuppressants.

An infection can also occur due to an injury of the bone. For example, deep penetration or a fracture as a result of a foreign body can increase the risk of infection in the bone. When left untreated, this can lead to life-threatening symptoms. Likewise, the hardware used to repair a fracture or a wound that becomes infected due to the infiltration of dirt or debris can have serious complications.

A prosthetic joint infection primarily develops from an artificial implant used during joint replacement surgery. Signs of a prosthetic joint infection include swelling, redness around the area and fluid discharge.

A bone tumour is just as serious as a bone infection because cells inside the bone multiply at a speedy rate. As a result, an abnormal amount of tissue grows in a specific region of the bone. While most bone tumours are benign, malignant tumours can be treated with a combination of radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

How do you treat orthopaedic infections and bone tumours?

Dr Rose can treat a bone tumour by removing a section of the affected bone. Sometimes, limb amputation is required when cancer spreads to the surrounding nerves or blood vessels. Furthermore, should cancer metastasise to the ankle, Dr Rose will not be able to perform limb-sparing surgery and will have to amputate the limb instead. Rehabilitation after removing a bone tumour is a long process involving continuous physical therapy and chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

A bone infection (osteomyelitis) can be treated with antibiotics. It can take up to six weeks for the infection to clear. However, Dr Rose may have to perform surgery to treat a serious bone infection. Surgery involves the removal of the necrotic bone along with dead tissue. Afterwards, he drains the pockets of fluid or pus from the wound.