Definition of Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is the local or generalized infection of bone and bone marrow, usually caused by bacteria. It can be introduced by trauma,
surgery, by direct extension from a nearby infection or via the bloodstream.
Description of Osteomyelitis
Along with essential oxygen and nutrients, blood may also carry bacteria and other organisms which tend to settle in the capillaries (tiny
blood vessels) of the long bones of the arms and legs. Infectious agents can also reach the bones directly from adjacent infected tissue or
through an open wound or fracture. Osteomyelitis can attack more than one bone at a time.
It occurs in both children and adults, and is a serious infection that can be difficult to diagnose and treat.

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Symptoms of Osteomyelitis
These may include pain and excruciating tenderness near a Symptom Checker:
joint or at the affected area, accompanied by redness, Start Here
swelling, a fever in the range of 102 F to 104 F, and chills.
Diagnosis of Osteomyelitis Fast & Fit:
In addition to taking a medical history and a physical exam, Hundreds of Fast
aspiration of the involved bone may be necessary. Culture of and Fit Recipes
the blood or bone tissue is essential for a precise diagnosis.
Radiographs (x-rays) early in the course of the infection may
be falsely negative. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may
be more helpful in demonstrating the extent of soft tissue
involved.
Treatment of Osteomyelitis
The treatment generally consists of surgical debridement
(cleaning) of the infected bony and soft tissue structures,
and the prolonged use of antibiotics. Until recently, these
antibiotics have been given intravenously. Advances in oral
antibiotic therapy have yielded newer agents that are able to
penetrate into bone, and in many cases, are curative. This
has markedly decreased the amount of hospitalization time
needed for the osteomyelitis patient.
While oral agents may not have the same degree of success
as intravenous antibiotics, certain elderly, debilitated or
institutionalized patients might be ideal candidates for oral
treatment. With either antibiotic regimen, however, complete
surgical removal of the area is necessary to eradicate the
infection.
Complications
Possible complications include septicemia (blood poisoning);
destruction of the bone; the spreading of the infection to a
nearby joint (possibly resulting in a permanent deformity);
the spreading of the infection to the surface of the skin
(where it erupts as an abscess); damage to the cartilage
adjacent to the bone (which may retard bone growth); and
suppurative (infectious) arthritis.
Chronic (long-term) osteomyelitis may be a delayed
complication of acute (sudden onset) osteomyelitis,
especially if it results from a fracture or the presence of a
foreign body in the wound, such as a bullet or a piece of
metallic debris.
The major sign of chronic osteomyelitis is a flare-up or
reopening of an abscessed wound, with periodic pain and
discharge of pus. X-rays show irregular bone and pieces of
dead bone. Treatment for chronic osteomyelitis may require
several operations to remove all the infected bone and other
tissue, completely draining the abscess and repairing the
bone when possible.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor About
Osteomyelitis
Are tests need to confirm the diagnosis?

What caused the osteomyelitis?

How serious is it?

What treatment will you be recommending?

How effective is it?

What medications will you be prescribing and what are the

side effects?

Will surgical drainage be required?

What are the chances that complications could develop?