Osteomyelitis in the foot and ankle associated with diabetes mellitus

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Milgram JW. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. (296):50-7, 1993 Nov. Osteomyelitis in a foot or ankle is a common complication in patients with diabetes mellitus. Although acute osteomyelitis can be a surgical emergency, this presentation is uncommon. Chronic bone infection in most patients is associated with either vascular impairment or neuropathic skin breakdown or both. Neuropathic joints and stress fractures have to be differentiated from radiographic abnormalities caused by infection.