Calcaneal Osteomyelitis Treated with Antibiotic Mixed Calcium Sulphate Pellets. A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Calcaneal osteomyelitis is a complicated entity and much more challenging to treat. We present a case of calcaneal osteomyelitis treated with debridement, curettage and filling bone defect with antibiotic mixed calcium sulphate pellets. CASE REPORT: A female patient presented with pain, swelling and purulent discharge from the left heel. Culture studies and magnetic resonance imaging findings were suggestive of osteomyelitis of the calcaneum. The patient was planned for definitive treatment, and remission was achieved with systemic antibiotics, debridement, curettage, and filling dead space with antibiotic mixed calcium sulphate pellets. CONCLUSION: Calcaneal osteomyelitis is very resistant to treatment and results in poor functional outcome. Management of calcaneal osteomyelitis with single-stage strategy using antibiotic mixed calcium sulphate effectively eradicates the disease to attain overall good functional outcome for the patient.