Osteomyelitis symptoms can vary, depending on the type and location of the bone infection. Acute osteomyelitis symptoms can include fever, swelling or redness in the bone and pain.
Blood infection (sepsis)
Bone infections are often caused by bacteria and other germs that come from a person’s bloodstream. These germs can also enter a wound and travel to the bone. The most common type of bacterial bone infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, but other germs can also cause the condition.
People of all ages and genders can get osteomyelitis, but children younger than 3 years old, older adults and people with certain medical conditions are at greater risk. This includes people with diabetes, HIV, AIDS or peripheral vascular disease.
Nosebleeds and other bleeding problems can also lead to bone infections, as can some types of surgery and injuries like open fractures. This is especially true if there’s not enough blood flow to the area.
The infection may not have any symptoms, or the signs and symptoms are hard to distinguish from other problems. This may be especially true for infants and older adults with compromised immune systems.
It can happen to any bone in the body, but it is most common in long bones (like arms or legs) and spine bones (vertebrae). The infection can start inside the bone, under a skin sore, or it can begin in another part of the body and spread to the bone via the bloodstream.
Treatment for acute osteomyelitis is usually a course of antibiotics to clear the infection, and to control the symptoms. You may need to take the medications for several weeks. A special medicine to help control pain can also be given.
Sometimes the doctor may order tests to look at your bone or the area around it, such as an x-ray and an MRI scan. A bone MRI can show the structure of your bones and can help identify nearby infections like abscesses.
If the test shows a bone infection, you may need to have a biopsy, where a small piece of your bone is removed and sent to a lab for analysis. Then, your doctor will find out if you have a bacterial or fungal infection and what is causing it.
The biopsy can be done by inserting a needle through the surface of your skin and into the bone. A sample of the marrow will be taken from the bone and sent to a laboratory for testing.
Your doctor may also use a device called an apex needle to draw a small amount of fluid from your bone. This can help find out if the infection is bacterial or fungal, and help find the right treatment for it.
In the worst cases, surgery is necessary to remove the infected bone and replace it with a clean one, so that the infection doesn’t recur. In other cases, you may need to wear a splint and have bed rest.
You can prevent osteomyelitis by practicing good hygiene, such as avoiding cuts or scratches and by using a clean bandage for wounds that occur. You can also ask your doctor to give you advice on how to reduce your risk of infection.
