Despite constant improvements in medical care, osteitis—posttraumatic infection of bone—is still encountered. It develops as a postoperative complication or after open injuries of the extremities and requires a treatment schedule that is tailored to the findings. The main pathogens are staphylococci. Osteitis cannot be controlled unless an adequate therapy is implemented early in its course. Once the initial diagnosis has been made—various psychological mechanisms make this difficult—and the first surgical revision carried out the further surgical therapy can be planned. This will depend on the findings, and the options range from simple debridement through switching to a different treatment method to soft tissue transplantation. The treatment should be carried out by experienced surgeons in specialist centres. A good outcome of treatment for the injured person is only possible if the surgical interventions are closely dovetailed with subsequent rehabilitation. If function remains restricted, specially adapted aids must be prescribed, which must be checked frequently to see whether further adaptations are needed. The treatment of osteitis is far more costly than that of uncomplicated fractures.