What is Osteomyelitis?

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection caused by bacteria or fungi. If left untreated, this bone infection can lead to serious consequences, such as removal of the infected limb or organ.

What are the symptoms of osteomyelitis?

Symptoms of osteomyelitis vary depending on its type and cause. Some people with chronic osteomyelitis do not have any symptoms. Along with pain, the infected area may be red, hot, swollen and tender to touch. Other osteomyelitis symptoms include: Discharge Pain in the bone where osteomyelitis occurs Sweating or shivering Fever Limited, painful movement Loss of appetite What are the Causes of Osteomyelitis? Our bones are normally resistant to infection, but with aging this resistance decreases, making us more susceptible to bone infection.

Most cases of osteomyelitis are caused by staphylococcus bacteria, which are types of germs commonly found on the skin or nose of even healthy individuals. Germs can enter a bone in many ways, including: Germs from other parts of your body can travel through your bloodstream to a weakened spot in the bone. With the formation of open wounds, germs can be carried deeper into your body. If such a wound becomes infected, the germs can also infect nearby bone. Germs can also enter the body if a bone is broken so violently that part of it protrudes through your skin. (Open fracture formation) During some orthopedic surgeries, microbe contamination may occur directly to the bone.

How Is Osteomyelitis Treated?

A bone infection can take a long time to heal. If you contact our hospital when you first notice the symptoms, your bone will be treated sooner. Treatments include: Antibiotics: Antibiotics kill the bacteria that cause the infection. You may need antibiotics for six to eight weeks, starting with a week or two of intravenous (IV) antibiotics in the hospital. You will then take the medications by mouth for several weeks. Chronic infections may require months of antibiotics. You may need to take oral antifungal medications for months to clear up fungal infections. Our doctor may use a thin needle to drain the fluid and pus from the abscess.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers are helpful in treating pain and inflammation. Surgery is sometimes required to treat bone infections. You will need antibiotics after surgery. Your surgical options include: Bone surgery: Infected dead tissue and bone are surgically removed (debrided). This procedure may cause bone deformities. Spine surgery: This procedure prevents vertebrae from collapsing and damaging the spinal cord, nerves, and other parts of the nervous system.