Abstract
1. Because of socio-medical deficiencies, osteitis in some parts of the world still conforms to the classical pattern seen before the introduction of antibiotics.
2. One of many complications is loss of continuity from widespread destruction of tubular bone.
3. Twelve patients with this complication are described. The most satisfactory treatment, when practicable, is the transference of an adjoining normal bone into the remnants of the defective one.
4. Two neonates each with a massive defect of the femur are described. This complication of osteitis at this age has not been reported before.
5. The long-term prognosis of lower limb defects is poor when there is failure of bone growth. Nevertheless, reconstructive procedures are still worth attempting because later amputation, if necessary, can be conservative, and prosthetic difficulties may thus be eased.
