Bone-clinging flat-abscess

Also bone flat-abscess. A headless flat-abscess (wú tóu jū) located on a bony and sinewy part of the body, usually caused by congealing stagnation of qì and blood that develops from wind-cold and damp in the sinew and bone. Bone flat-abscess is characterized at onset by alternating heat and cold, and subsequently by sinew and bone pain with difficulty in bending and stretching, but without any localized heat or redness. When depressed heat transforms into fire, the flesh becomes putrid and suppuration begins. The flat-abscess takes the form of a broad swelling without a head, and without any change in skin color. After rupturing, there is a persistent dribbling discharge of pus from the opening, which does not heal easily. Any pieces of dead bone must be removed before healing is possible.

Biomedical correspondence: pyogenic osteomylitis.

Compare headless flat-abscess; flat-abscess; sore³.