Infection · UKMLA & AKT
Osteomyelitis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
Key high-yield points
- Staphylococcus aureus - most common cause across ALL age groups; expresses surface adhesins (fibronectin-binding proteins) that bind directly to bone matrix, giving it high skeletal affinity
- Haematogenous spread from distant source (UTI, indwelling catheter, skin) most commonly seeds bone with S. aureus - even when the primary source is urinary
- *Escherichia coli* - common UTI pathogen but does NOT express bone-binding receptors; unlikely cause of osteomyelitis despite urinary source
- *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* - associated with septic arthritis in young adults, NOT osteomyelitis
- *Haemophilus influenzae* and *Mycobacteria* - rare causes; far less common than S. aureus
Even when the apparent source is a UTI or urinary catheter, S. aureus (a skin commensal colonising the catheter) is the most likely bone pathogen - not the Gram-negative urinary organism.
Unlock the full Osteomyelitis revision
Get the complete high-yield notes (2 more sections covering investigations, management and complications), practice questions, mock exams and Sal, the AI tutor. Start free.