3. Orthopedic Infections

Musculoskeletal infections can prove to be extremely difficult to diagnose and treat due to the wide variation in clinical presentation, which often mimics other diagnoses such as trauma, and due to the potential for serious complications that can have lifelong implications for the patient. Unrecognized infections can destroy normal joint anatomy and function, threaten limb viability, and potentially be fatal if not recognized and treated appropriately. The most important aspect of caring for patients with a musculoskeletal infection is to come to an early and accurate diagnosis. When proper treatment is administered in a timely manner, most musculoskeletal infections can be effectively treated and the morbidity minimized with an excellent outcome for the patient. A missed infection can lead to irreversible impairment and loss of mobility for the individual, along with significant costs for society due to loss of productivity and requirements for medical care.