I suffered a severe dog bite to my hand. Deep puncture wound involved. Puncture wound was infected within 3 days even though I saw a doctor w/in 1 hr. of bite and was taking oral antibiotics. A sinus tract developed and burst on top of knuckle at pointing finger. An x-ray showed what one doctor thought was osteomyelitis; A CAT scan showed a well corticated erosion ; MRI showed who knows. 1 year later I am basically no better. From what I have researched, I believe I have developed chronic osteomyelitis and it is doing the now you see me, now you don t routine. Problem being is that I had no money or insurance for the med. care and the bite was received while working as a groomer. The dog owner paid for the 1st 3 doctor visits and the 2 scripts, but walked away when I was referred to an orthopedist. It was the ortho who pre-lim diagnosed septic arthritis and ordered the CAT scan. Due to the money issue, I had to retain an attorney so I could hopefully get med treatment. So, my appts. have been very wide spread and I have received no treatment. The orthopedist became a nightmare when he found out I had an attorney, did an about face and said my issues might not even be related to the dog bite. Based on these pre-lim things, do you have an opinion?
A sinus tract is often the presenting feature of Chronic osteomyelitis, which is unlikely to develop so early as per the history given by you which indicates that it is not related to the dog bite. If the dog was not immunized, you will have to take a series of injectable antibiotics and not oral ones. As for the osteomyelitis, it develops due to a chronic inflammation/infection of the bone and can be treated by certain surgical procedures.