A case based review of osteomyelitis variolosa- Forgotten complication of an eradicated disease

Abstract

Smallpox was eradicated in 1980. Since then, the disease and its complications have been largely forgotten by clinicians. However, long-term complications and sequelae of smallpox are still evident among individuals who were affected by the disease earlier in their lives. Blindness and joint deformities caused by Osteomyelitis Variolosa can still be observed, though very rarely. Here is a report of a case of a 62-year-old gentleman who presented with features of compressive neuropathy of the ulnar nerve following degenerative arthritis of the elbow joint due to Osteomyelitis Variolosa.