Osteomyelitis

Bacteria and fungi can cause osteomyelitis. This painful bone infection causes swelling that can damage bone and lead to bone loss. Fast treatment with antibiotics often works. Some people need surgery to drain abscesses or remove damaged bone. Young children, the elderly and people with diabetes are most at risk for osteomyelitis. Overview What is osteomyelitis? Osteomyelitis is a bone infection caused by bacteria or fungi. It causes painful swelling of bone marrow, the soft tissue inside your bones. Without treatment, swelling from this bone infection can cut off blood supply to your bone, causing bone to die. What is bone marrow? Certain bones in your How common is osteomyelitis? Osteomyelitis affects about 2 to 5 out of every 10,000 people. It’s one of the oldest diseases on record. Scientists have traced it back more than 250 million years. Who might have osteomyelitis? Osteomyelitis affects people of all ages and genders. Children younger than 3, the elderly and people with serious medical conditions are more prone to the condition. In children, the infection is more likely to affect long bones, such as those found in the legs and arms. In adults, bone infections more often target the spine. What are the types of osteomyelitis? Types of osteomyelitis include: • Acute: This infection comes on suddenly. You may have a fever and then develop pain in the infected area days later. • Chronic: Chronic osteomyelitis is a bone infection that doesn’t go away with treatments. I...

What Causes Osteomyelitis? In most cases, a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, a type of Certain chronic conditions like diabetes may increase your risk for osteomyelitis. Who Gets Osteomyelitis? Only 2 out of every 10,000 people get osteomyelitis. The condition affects children and adults, although in different ways. Certain conditions and behaviors that weaken the immune system increase a person's risk for osteomyelitis, including: • • Sickle cell disease • HIV or AIDS • Rheumatoid arthritis • Intravenous drug use • • Long-term use of • Hemodialysis • Poor • Recent injury Bone surgery, including hip and Osteomyelitis in Children and Adults In children, osteomyelitis is usually acute. Acute osteomyelitis comes on quickly, is easier to treat, and overall turns out better than chronic osteomyelitis. In children, osteomyelitis usually shows up in arm or leg bones. In adults, osteomyelitis can be either acute or chronic. People with diabetes, Symptoms of Osteomyelitis Acute osteomyelitis develops rapidly over a period of seven to 10 days. The symptoms for acute and chronic osteomyelitis are very similar and include: • Fever, irritability, • • Tenderness, redness, and warmth in the area of the infection • Swelling around the affected bone • Lost range of motion Osteomyelitis in the vertebrae makes itself known through severe Osteomyelitis Treatment Figuring out if a person has osteomyelitis is the first step in treatment. It's also surprisingly difficult. Doctors rely on X...

What is a bone infection (osteomyelitis)? A bone infection, also called osteomyelitis, can result when bacteria or fungi invade a bone. In children, bone infections most commonly occur in the long bones of the arms and legs. In adults, they usually appear in the hips, spine, and feet. Bone infections can happen suddenly or develop over a long period of time. If they’re not properly treated, bone infections can leave a bone permanently damaged. Many organisms, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus, travel through the bloodstream and can cause a bone infection. An infection may begin in one area of the body and spread to the bones via the blood stream. Organisms that invade a severe injury, deep The most common cause of bone infections is S. aureus bacteria. These bacteria commonly appear on the skin but don’t always cause health problems. However, the bacteria can overpower an Your doctor may use several methods to diagnose your condition if you have any symptoms of a bone infection. They will perform a physical exam to check for swelling, pain, and It’s likely your doctor will order a blood test to check for the organisms causing the infection. Other tests to check for the bacteria are Another possible test is a However, a simple bone There are several options your doctor may use to treat your bone infection. Antibiotics may be all that’s necessary to cure your bone infection. Your doctor may administer the antibiotics intravenously, or directly into your veins, if the infec...

Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory condition of bone secondary to an infectious process. Osteomyelitis is usually clinically diagnosed with support from imaging and laboratory findings. Bone biopsy and microbial cultures offer definitive diagnosis. Plain film radiography should be performed as initial imaging, but sensitivity is low in the early stages of disease. Magnetic resonance imaging with and without contrast media has a higher sensitivity for identifying areas of bone necrosis in later stages. Staging based on major and minor risk factors can help stratify patients for surgical treatment. Antibiotics are the primary treatment option and should be tailored based on culture results and individual patient factors. Surgical bony debridement is often needed, and further surgical intervention may be warranted in high-risk patients or those with extensive disease. Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease increase the overall risk of acute and chronic osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory condition of bone secondary to infection; it may be acute or chronic. Symptoms of acute osteomyelitis include pain, fever, and edema of the affected site, and patients typically present without bone necrosis in days to weeks following initial infection. Chronic osteomyelitis develops after months to years of persistent infection and may be characterized by the presence of necrotic bone and fistulous tracts from skin to bone. , – , Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus is...

Overview Osteomyelitis is an infection in a bone. Infections can reach a bone by traveling through the bloodstream or spreading from nearby tissue. Infections can also begin in the bone itself if an injury exposes the bone to germs. Smokers and people with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney failure, are more at risk of developing osteomyelitis. People who have diabetes may develop osteomyelitis in their feet if they have foot ulcers. Symptoms Signs and symptoms of osteomyelitis include: • Fever • Swelling, warmth and redness over the area of the infection • Pain in the area of the infection • Fatigue Sometimes osteomyelitis causes no signs and symptoms or the signs and symptoms are hard to distinguish from other problems. This may be especially true for infants, older adults and people whose immune systems are compromised. When to see a doctor See your doctor if you experience worsening bone pain along with fever. If you're at risk of infection because of a medical condition or recent surgery or injury, see your doctor right away if you notice signs and symptoms of an infection. Causes Most cases of osteomyelitis are caused by staphylococcus bacteria, types of germs commonly found on the skin or in the nose of even healthy individuals. Germs can enter a bone in a variety of ways, including: • The bloodstream. Germs in other parts of your body — for example, in the lungs from pneumonia or in the bladder from a urinary tract infection — can travel through ...