Hematogenous osteomyelitis of the calcaneus in children: surgical treatment and use of implanted antibiotic beads.

Hematogenous osteomyelitis is a relatively uncommon disorder that may prove elusive to early diagnosis and treatment. Metaphyseal long bones are commonly involved and the calcaneus is rarely affected. A high index of suspicion should be maintained regarding the pediatric patient with pain out of proportion to a minor injury. Delay in the diagnosis of hematogenous osteomyelitis in the pediatric patient can result in irreversible growth disturbances and devastating sequelae. The authors present a typical case history with an unusual postoperative course and a review of the clinical aspects and surgical treatment of hematogenous calcaneal osteomyelitis in a child.