DOI: 10.36347/sasjs.2022.v08i10.006

Pages: 635-638

Osteomyelitis of the navicular bone is not common; the few reported cases are haematogenous osteomyelitis of the navicular bone and were mostly seen in children and another case seen in an adult. We are presenting a case of domestic accident resulting in chronic osteomyelitis of the navicular bone in an adult caused by direct inoculation of infection following traditional bone setter’s mismanagement and subsequent surgery on the same foot. Consent is duly obtained from the patient to present this case report. The aim of this case presentation is to highlight the need for high index of suspicion of osteomyelitis of the bones of the foot in adult which are not necessarily secondary to haematogenous spread as seen in children but due to direct inoculation of micro- organisms, the study also seeks to demonstrate a complete cure of chronic osteomyelitis following proper debridement of the sequestrum with adequate use of the relevant antibiotics for the specified durations of administration. The patronage of traditional bone setters by most patients in Africa is still worrisome because this results in delayed presentation and attendant complications as seen in this index patient. In conclusion, chronic osteomyelitis of navicular in adults tend to follow direct inoculation of micro-organism but with a radical debridement with appropriate administration of antibiotics can result in cure. However, health education is necessary to discourage patients’ patronage of traditional bone setters and encouraging early presentation with good outcomes.