what is osteomyelitis of phalanx and what is the treatment

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Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. A phalanx is a bone of the one of the fingers or toes. Actually, each finger and toe has more than one phalanx. The plural is phalanges.

The treatment would depend upon the specific appearance of the infection. Antibiotics are the primary treatment, and since it is difficult to penetrate antibiotics into the bone, the antibiotics are usually provided intravenously to achieve higher blood levels. And since the bone is slow to heal, it usually requires a longer course of antibiotics.

Ideally the selection of antibiotics is based on a culture of the infected bone,which would need to be obtained by aspiration or from surgery, but in some cases, the doctor may choose to provide a broad antibiotic to cover common germs. In general, osteomyelitis of any of the bones of the foot, including the phalanges, can involve a broader range of germs, some of which are harder to treat and need stronger antibiotics.

In some people the infection has caused sufficient damage to a portion of the bone so that surgery is needed to remove the portion of the bone. The imaging studies will typically indicate whether there is any problem that would require surgery.

If I can provide any further information, please let me know.

A paronychia involves the soft tissue around the nail, so is not osteomyelitis. However, it is possible that a germ from a paronychia can penetrate deeper and get into the bone and cause the osteomyelitis.

Neither conditions are cancerous.