Free tissue transfer and calcanectomy as treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the os calcis: a case report.

Chronic osteomyelitis of the os calcis presents a formidable management dilemma. Successful treatment requires aggressive surgical debridement of devitalized bone and soft tissue and appropriate antibiotic therapy. Difficulties arise, however, when radical debridement results in significant loss of weight-bearing bone. Recalcitrant osteomyelitis of the os calcis or major loss of bone secondary to debridement has been treated by amputation. Advances in microsurgical reconstruction now provide the opportunity for limb salvage in this situation.