Aim: To assess the prevalence of osteomyelitis of the foot in patients with non-healing diabetic foot ulcers, the diagnostic accuracy of tests and the results of conservative treatment.

Methods: Prospective data from 180 diabetic patients (selected by consecutive sampling) who presented to the Surgical and Orthopaedic department with non-healing diabetic foot ulcers were assessed and selected for the study. All subjects had plain x-rays, physical and general examination, and complete blood count done. The results were analyzed using SPSS v. 21.0.

Results: Of 180 patients with non-healing diabetic foot ulcers assessed and treated in the out-patient department, 105 (58.3%) had osteomyelitis based on positive clinical picture, laboratory data, and imaging tests. 105 patients whom tested positive for osteomyelitis initially received conservative treatment. Twenty-five patients (13.8%) faced the tragic fate of amputation, which was not prevented by conservative treatment, the rest were positive and did not require amputation.

Conclusions: We conclude that conservative treatment gives positive results in most cases. It is recommended that patients at risk of osteomyelitis be assessed on an outpatient basis so that the disease can be diagnosed at an early stage and thus help reduce the frequency of amputations.

Keywords: diabetic foot ulceration, osteomyelitis, frequency of amputations.