Osteomyelitis associated with peripheral vascular disease secondary to diabetes mellitus.

Authors

W T DeFeo
R M Jay

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-1976

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus and arteriosclerotic vascular disease have been found to be the predisposing factors of osteomyelitis associated with peripheral vascular disease (10). A diabetic person is more susceptible to osteomyelitis because of the microangiopathy, peripheral neuropathy and decreased resistance to infection. In diabetes mellitus there can be microangiopathy which results from the proliferation of the endothelium of the intima and thickening of the basement membrane. This further contributes to a sluggish blood flow. In the patient with arteriosclerotic vascular disease, the lumens of the arterioles and arterioles are compromised by the atheromatous plaques. The anatomic structure of the blood supply to bone along with the pathologic membrane thickening, allows for slowing of blood. This slowing of blood flow causes micro-thrombi and enhances bacterial growth. In diabetes mellitus it has been shown that there is a decreased immunologic response which, along with the above, contributes to the sheltering and proliferation of bacteria in the small bones of the foot.

Volume

15

Issue

4

First Page

159

Last Page

165

ISSN

0449-2544

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

1030728

Department(s)

Department of Surgery

Document Type

Article

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