Key points
- Solomiya had tonsillitis at the age of 2.5, which led to osteomyelitis of the arm.
- Staphylococcus aureus affected her tonsils and bone tissue.
- Doctors removed the pus, installed a vacuum system and immobilised her arm in a plaster cast.
- Orthopaedic traumatologist Iryna Harbuziak installed an external fixation device and performed an osteotomy to promote bone regrowth.
- After several months, the bone had grown back by 4 cm.
- The girl is now returning to her normal life.
In Lviv, doctors at the St Nicholas Children’s Hospital of the First Medical Association restored 4 cm of bone in four-year-old Solomiika after it had been destroyed by osteomyelitis that developed following tonsillitis.
The girl fell ill with tonsillitis at the age of 2.5. Soon after recovering, her temperature rose again. In addition, her right arm became red, swollen and painful, and a rash appeared on her skin.
Her parents immediately sought medical help. Surgeon Larysa Shevchenko informed the family that without urgent surgery the girl could lose her arm.
It turned out that the infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus had affected both the tonsils and the bone tissue, leading to osteomyelitis. The bacteria entered the bone through the bloodstream and began destroying it, which could have resulted in amputation or the infection spreading to other bones.
This disease often disguises itself. Its symptoms may look like an allergy, or we might think it is just a bruise or a sprain. However, swelling, redness and fever can signal osteomyelitis to an experienced surgeon. It is a severe and long-lasting disease. If medical help is sought too late, a limb can be lost.
– Larysa Shevchenko, surgeon at St Nicholas Children’s Hospital.
First, doctors removed the pus and installed a vacuum system to drain the discharge from the bone. During the next operation, the arm was fixed in a cast. Later, orthopaedic trauma surgeon Iryna Harbuzniak performed a complex procedure involving the installation of an external fixation device and an osteotomy.
Thanks to a special bone gel and daily adjustment of the device, the bone gradually grew back by 4 cm. After several months, the ends of the bone were joined, scar tissue was removed and the device was taken off.
The girl is now returning to her normal daily life while the bone continues to strengthen.
According to the doctors, the high regenerative capacity of a child’s body made it possible to achieve this result within a relatively short period.
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