TCM Alternative Treatment for Osteomyelitis
You can use homeopathy as a supportive therapy, but never alone to treat osteomyelitis. Studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for the treatment of osteomyelitis because they are commonly used to treat joint disorders, bone injuries, and wound infections. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type -- your physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

Ledum -- for puncture wounds that lead to an accumulation of pus, especially if they feel better with cold applications
Silicea -- for enlarged, pus-filled glands, especially in people who are run down or exhausted

Arnica montana -- used after trauma or injury, especially when accompanied by a bruised, "beat up" feeling

Treatment in Western Medicine:
This is a medical word used for a bone infection. Infections may reach the bone by migrating thru the blood system or distributed from tissues which are nearby. Osteomyelitis may also start in the bone if there has been an injury that leaves the bone open to germs. The goal of treatment is to stop the infection and reduce damage to the bone and surrounding tissues. Antibiotics are given to destroy the bacteria causing the infection:

-- You may receive more than one antibiotic at a time.
-- Antibiotics are taken for at least 4 to 6 weeks, often at home through an IV (intravenously, meaning through a vein).

Surgery may be needed to remove dead bone tissue if you have an infection that does not go away:
-- If there are metal plates near the infection, they may need to be removed.
The open space left by the removed bone tissue may be filled with bone graft or packing material. This promotes the growth of new bone tissue.
-- Infection that occurs after joint replacement may require surgery to remove the replaced joint and infected tissue in the area. A new prosthesis may be implanted in the same operation. More often, doctors wait until the infection has gone away.

If you have diabetes, it will need to be well controlled. If there are problems with blood supply to the infected area, such as the foot, surgery to improve blood flow may be needed to get rid of the infection.