Osteomyelitis
What is osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone caused by bacteria, usually in the legs, arm or spine. It can either be acute (sudden and short-term) or chronic (a long-developing syndrome). It usually occurs when an infection in one part of the body is transported through the bloodstream to a bone in another location. It can also begin in the bone if an injury exposes the bone to germs. Osteomyelitis affects males and females in equal numbers. About 2 out of 10,000 people are affected per year. It is usually more common in children and adults past the age of 50. In children and teens, osteomyelitis most commonly affects the long bones of the legs and arms. In adults, however, it usually affects the vertebrae of the spine and hips.What are the symptoms of osteomyelitis?
Common symptoms of osteomyelitis include the following:- Bone pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Excessive sweating
- Open wounds that may have pus
- Malaise (a general feeling of discomfort or illness)
- Local swelling, redness and warmth at the site of the infection
- Bone fragmentation
What causes osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria or fungi. The most common form of bacteria to cause it is Staphylococcus bacteria. It cannot be inherited. Acute osteomyelitis is a bone inflammation that can be caused by a previous trauma, puncture wound, surgery, or infection. Chronic osteomyelitis usually occurs after an episode of acute osteomyelitis when the infection has not been completely cured. Other risk factors include: recent trauma, diabetes, hemodialysis, intravenous drug abuse, and removal of the spleen.How is osteomyelitis diagnosed?
Osteomyelitis is diagnosed using the following procedures:- Bone scans, X-rays, and MRIs
- Blood tests
- Bone biopsies
What are the treatments for osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis treatment includes:- Antibiotics
- Surgery to remove portions of the bone that have died or fractured
- Bone graft
- In very severe cases, amputation
Where can I find out more about osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis Articles
Study: Immunotherapy to Treat the Pathogens Causing Osteomyelitis
A recent study published in Frontiers in Immunology investigates the immune response to bone infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus, that cause osteomyelitis. Their research stands to
Study Identifies Clinical Characteristics of Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis
According to a story from EurekAlert! a recent study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology describes some of the key
A Combative Combination: Fighting Osteomyelitis with Stem Cells and Antibiotics
by Danielle Bradshaw from In The Cloud Copy Bone grafts, although very helpful, can result in hard to treat infections and typically result in the
New Factors Will Improve CRMO Diagnoses
As many patients with rare diseases know, it can sometimes be difficult to achieve the correct diagnosis. In fact, the average length of time it
Man Who Lost Leg to Osteomyelitis Helps Other Amputees During the Pandemic
Dane Tidwell lost his leg to osteomyelitis when he was just 18 years old. He spoke about the confusion and loneliness that came with being
Uncovering the Cause of Sudden Aphasia in a Patient with Osteomyelitis: A Case Study
Want to learn more about recognizing symptoms and diagnosing patients? Well, now you can. In a MedPage article, authors encourage readers to follow along
Hyperbaric Oxygen: a Unique Method for Healing Patients
According to a story from Michigan Medicine Headlines, Domino’s Farms is the home of a treatment center with unique capabilities: the Michigan Medicine Comprehensive Wound
A Fifth Grader From Sacramento Faces Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis
According to a story from messenger-inquirer.com, ten year old Abrielle Haynes of Sacramento, CA is often described as a ‘china doll’ by both family and
