When your bone breaks, bacteria can invade the bone, leading to osteomyelitis. 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 immune system that’s weakened by disease and illness.
What are the signs of a bone infection?
The symptoms of osteomyelitis can include:
- Pain and/or tenderness in the infected area.
- Swelling, redness and warmth in the infected area.
- Fever.
- Nausea, secondarily from being ill with infection.
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling.
- Drainage of pus (thick yellow fluid) through the skin.
Can you really get a bone infection?
Bone infections (or osteomyelitis) affect about two in every 10,000 people, and they're twice as common among men [sources: Cleveland Clinic, PDRhealth].Osteomyelitis can happen to any bone in the body. In adults, it typically occurs in the spinal or pelvis areas. Whereas adults are more likely to have chronic osteomyelitis, children tend to get acute infections, usually in the long-bone areas ...
How to diagnose bone infection?
- Blood tests: A complete blood count (CBC) checks for signs of inflammation and infection. ...
- Imaging tests: X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds provide images of your bones, muscles and tissues.
- Bone scan: A bone scan uses a small amount of safe, radioactive material to identify infections or fractures during an imaging scan.
What causes bone infections?
You're more at risk of getting an infection in a bone if you have:
- recently broken (fractured) a bone
- been injured or have a wound
- an artificial hip, or a screw in a bone
- recently had any surgery on a bone
- a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or you have another serious illness
- had osteomyelitis before
- diabetes, especially if you also have a foot ulcer
Is infection in the bone serious?
Osteomyelitis is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. Most bone infections go away when you take antibiotics. Be sure to take all your prescribed medication even if you start feeling better.
How do you know if an infection has spread to the bone?
General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise) Local swelling, redness, and warmth. Open wound that may show pus. Pain at the site of infection.
What do they do for an infection in your bone?
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 infection is severe. You may need to take the antibiotics for up to six weeks. Sometimes bone infections require surgery.
When infection goes to the bone?
Osteomyelitis is inflammation or swelling that occurs in the bone. It can result from an infection somewhere else in the body that has spread to the bone, or it can start in the bone — often as a result of an injury. Osteomyelitis is more common in younger children (five and under) but can happen at any age.
Can you survive a bone infection?
Although once considered incurable, osteomyelitis can now be successfully treated. Most people need surgery to remove areas of the bone that have died. After surgery, strong intravenous antibiotics are typically needed.
How long does it take for an infection to reach the bone?
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, fatigue.
Can bone infection be treated without surgery?
Non-surgical treatment of osteomyelitis requires a multidisciplinary team approach including primary care, infectious disease specialist care, nutritionist care and wound care. These wounds will require antibiotic therapy for a duration of six to eight weeks.
Can bone infection lead to amputation?
Osteomyelitis occurs in 20%–60% of patients with foot ulcerations [3]. Many of these cases require hospital admission, and if the patient has a confirmed case of osteomyelitis, the risk of surgical amputation is 4 times higher than with soft tissue infection alone [4].
What is the strongest antibiotic for bone infection?
The classic antibiotic combination for bone infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and P. aeruginosa is levofloxacin plus rifampicin.
How long can a bone infection last?
If you have a severe infection, the course may last up to 12 weeks. It's important to finish a course of antibiotics even if you start to feel better. If the infection is treated quickly (within 3 to 5 days of it starting), it often clears up completely. You can take painkillers to ease the pain.
Is osteomyelitis an emergency?
In some cases, osteomyelitis can be a serious condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Osteomyelitis may spread to the bloodstream and lead to a widespread infection.
What does it feel like if an infection is spreading?
Symptoms can include increasing pain, swelling, and redness. More severe infections may cause nausea, chills, or fever. A person may be able to treat minor wound infections at home. However, people with more severe or persistent wound infections should seek medical attention.
Does bone infection show up on xray?
In most cases, fractures and infections in bones and teeth show up clearly on X-rays.
What is are common local signs of osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis is often diagnosed clinically on the basis of nonspecific symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, lethargy, or irritability. The classic signs of inflammation, including local pain, swelling, or redness, may also occur and usually disappear within 5-7 days.
How to get same day diagnosis from UChicago?
Complete an online questionnaire (e-visit) through your MyChart account to get a same-day diagnosis and a treatment plan from UChicago Medicine clinicians for common conditions.
What are the symptoms of bone infection?
Bone infections can become a severe condition if not treated properly. If you have any of the following signs, you should reach out to your doctor right away: 1 Chronic infections of bone 2 Infections around or involving orthopaedic implants 3 Infected fractures 4 Infections of original (native) and prosthetic joints
How to save time when visiting a doctor?
Save time by skipping the trip to the doctor's office and video conference with your provider instead. Video visits are a secure, quick, and convenient way to connect with your doctor and other members of your care team.
Can bone infections be severe?
Bone infections can become a severe condition if not treated properly. If you have any of the following signs, you should reach out to your doctor right away: Infections around or involving orthopaedic implants. Infections of original (native) and prosthetic joints.
Can a team coordinate home and outpatient care?
Our team also can coordinate home and outpatient services for follow-up care.
Why do I get bone infections?
Causes. Bone infection is most often caused by bacteria. But it can also be caused by fungi or other germs. When a person has osteomyelitis: Bacteria or other germs may spread to a bone from infected skin, muscles, or tendons next to the bone. This may occur under a skin sore.
What is the goal of treatment for a bone infection?
The goal of treatment is to get rid of the infection and reduce damage to the bone and surrounding tissues.
How do you know if you have osteomyelitis?
Main symptoms include: Bone pain. Excessive sweating. Fever and chills. General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise) Local swelling, redness, and warmth. Open wound that may show pus.
What is the open space left by the removed bone tissue?
The open space left by the removed bone tissue may be filled with bone graft or packing material. This promotes resolution of the infection. Infection that occurs after joint replacement may require surgery. This is done to remove the replaced joint and infected tissue in the area.
What is A.D.A.M.?
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
What does a bone exam show?
The exam may show bone tenderness and possible swelling and redness in the area around the bone.
How long do antibiotics last?
Antibiotics are taken for at least 4 to 6 weeks, often at home through an IV (intravenously, meaning through a vein). Surgery may be needed to remove dead bone tissue if the above methods fail: If there are metal plates near the infection, they may need to be removed.
How to treat osteomyelitis in the spine?
Instead, patients with spinal osteomyelitis are given intravenous antibiotics. After surgery, antibiotics against the specific bacteria involved in the infection are then intensively administered during the hospital stay and for many weeks afterward.
What is the disease that can cause bone tissue death?
Osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone that can affect both adults and children. If left untreated, it can lead to bone tissue death over time. Appointments 216.444.2606. Appointments & Locations. Contact Us. Overview. Symptoms and Causes. Diagnosis and Tests.
What is osteomyelitis infection?
What is osteomyelitis? Osteomyelitis is a bacterial, or fungal, infection of the bone. Osteomyelitis affects about 2 out of every 10,000 people. If left untreated, the infection can become chronic and cause a loss of blood supply to the affected bone.
Why is it important to treat osteomyelitis?
The objective of treating osteomyelitis is to eliminate the infection and prevent the development of chronic infection. Chronic osteomyelitis can lead to permanent deformity, possible fracture, and chronic problems, so it is important to treat the disease as soon as possible.
How do you know if you have osteomyelitis?
The symptoms of osteomyelitis can include: Pain and/or tenderness in the infected area. Swelling, redness and warmth in the infected area. Fever. Nausea, secondarily from being ill with infection. General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling. Drainage of pus (thick yellow fluid) through the skin.
How do antibiotics help the body?
Antibiotics help the body get rid of bacteria in the bloodstream that may otherwise re-infect the bone. The dosage and type of antibiotic prescribed depends on the type of bacteria present and the extent of infection.
Why are antibiotics ineffective?
The reason for this is that antibiotics are ineffective at reaching pockets of infected fluid as they have no blood supply. Antibiotic medications: Prescribing antibiotics is the first step in treating osteomyelitis. Antibiotics help the body get rid of bacteria in the bloodstream that may otherwise re-infect the bone.
How does osteomyelitis spread?
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.
What is bone death?
Bone death (osteonecrosis). An infection in your bone can impede blood circulation within the bone, leading to bone death. Areas where bone has died need to be surgically removed for antibiotics to be effective.
What are the complications of osteomyelitis?
Complications. Osteomyelitis complications may include: Bone death ( osteonecrosis). An infection in your bone can impede blood circulation within the bone, leading to bone death. Areas where bone has died need to be surgically removed for antibiotics to be effective.
Why are people who inject illegal drugs more likely to develop osteomyelitis?
People who inject illegal drugs are more likely to develop osteomyelitis because they may use nonsterile needles and are less likely to sterilize their skin before injections.
What happens when blood vessels are damaged?
When blood vessels are damaged or blocked, your body has trouble distributing the infection-fighting cells needed to keep a small infection from growing larger. What begins as a small cut can progress to a deep ulcer that may expose deep tissue and bone to infection.
How to prevent a minor injury to your child?
If you or your child has a minor injury, clean the area immediately and apply a clean bandage. Check wounds frequently for signs of infection. By Mayo Clinic Staff.
What to do if you have an increased risk of infection?
If you've been told that you have an increased risk of infection, talk to your doctor about ways to prevent infections from occurring. Reducing your risk of infection will also help your risk of developing osteomyelitis.
Why does osteomyelitis spread to the jaw?
Causes. Osteomyelitis can occur when a bacterial or fungal infection develops within a bone or reaches the bone from another part of the body. Share on Pinterest. A tooth infection can spread to the jaw bone. When an infection develops inside the bone, the immune system will try to kill it.
What is the disease of the bone marrow?
Symptoms. Causes. Complications. Risk factors. Diagnosis. Prevention. Osteomyelitis is an infection and inflammation of the bone or the bone marrow. It can happen if a bacterial or fungal infection enters the bone tissue from the bloodstream, due to injury or surgery.
How do bone infections start?
Bone infections can occur in different ways. In hematogenous osteomyelitis, the infection may start as a mild upper respiratory or urinary tract infection , for example, and travel through the bloodstream. This type is more common in children.
What causes a minor scrape on the foot?
Vascular deficiency, or poor blood circulation, can cause infection to develop from a minor scrape or cut, usually on the feet. Poor circulation prevents white blood cells from reaching the site, leading to deep ulcers. These expose the bone and deep tissue to infection. Vertebral osteomyelitis occurs in the spine.
How long does it take for osteomyelitis to develop?
In acute osteomyelitis, infection develops within 2 weeks of an injury, initial infection, or the start of an underlying disease. The pain can be intense, and the condition can be life-threatening.
What happens after a compound fracture?
Post-traumatic osteomyelitis may occur after a compound fracture, a broken bone that breaks the skin, an open wound to surrounding skin and muscle , or after surgery, especially if metal pins, screws or plates are used to secure broken bones.
What are the symptoms of osteomyelitis?
The signs and symptoms of osteomyelitis depend on the type. They commonly include: Pain, which can be severe, and swelling, redness, and tenderness in the affected area. Irritability, lethargy, or fatigue. Fever, chills, and sweating.
What is the term for an infection in the bone?
Osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone. Osteomyelitis is concerning because these infections are difficult to treat, usually require weeks of IV antibiotics, and often require surgical debridement of the infected bone. Debridement is the process whereby necrotic (dead) and/or infected bone is removed.
How does osteomyelitis occur?
Osteomyelitis may occur in the following circumstances: A superficial infection over a bone – infects the underlying bone . Bacteria circulating in the bloodstream – infect a bone by lodging themselves in blood vessels that enter the bone. The infection may track to the skin surface if the bone is in close proximity to the skin.
Why is a fragment sent to the lab?
The fragment is sent to the lab to be examined for signs of infection, and totest for infection. Successful testing enables you to know the exact bacteria causing the infection, and which antibiotics will best treat the infection.
How is osteomyelitis diagnosed?
The diagnosis of osteomyelitis is notoriously difficult. It is determined clinically via the history and physical, with the aid of diagnostic testing.
What is a classic presentation?
Classic presentation is a tender, deep, draining wound located over a bone. But note: osteomyelitis can occur without pain, and without a superficial wound. Other symptoms may include fever, weakness, body aches and fatigue.
What does CBC mean in blood work?
A blood count (CBC) provides evidence for infection, when the white blood cells are elevated.
Can a bone biopsy be performed on osteomyelitis?
A bone biopsy may be performed. A bone biopsy has the potential to both verify osteomyelitis, and identify the causative bacteria . A fragment of bone is removed surgically from the suspected site of infection.
What to do if mastoid bone infection doesn't clear up?
If the infection doesn’t clear up after treatment with antibiotics, surgery may be necessary. Surgery may involve removing part of your mastoid bone to drain the infection. Doctors may also need to drain your middle ear of infected fluid to successfully treat the infection.
What is the mastoid made of?
It’s made of air sacs and resembles a sponge, rather than being solid and rigid like most bones. The mastoid must receive air from other parts of the ear, including the eustachian tube, to function properly. Your eustachian tube connects your middle ear to the back of your throat. If an infection develops in your middle ear ...
What is the name of the bone that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat?
Your eustachian tube connects your middle ear to the back of your throat. If an infection develops in your middle ear and blocks your eustachian tube, it may subsequently lead to an infection in the mastoid bone. This serious infection is known as mastoid bone infection of the skull, or mastoiditis.
Why is it so hard to treat mastoiditis?
Treatment of mastoiditis can be difficult because the mastoid bone is located deep inside your ear. Serious health problems may result if treatment isn’t effective or if the infection isn’t treated before damaging the mastoid. These health problems include: vertigo, or dizziness. facial paralysis.
What is the most important structure in the inner ear?
What is mastoiditis? One of the most important structures in your inner ear is the mastoid bone. Although it’s called a bone, the mastoid doesn’t have the typical structure associated with other bones in the human body. It’s made of air sacs and resembles a sponge, rather than being solid and rigid like most bones.
What is the term for a bacterial infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord?
meningitis , a bacterial infection of the membranes covering your brain and spinal cord. epidural abscess, a collection of pus on the outside of your brain and spinal cord. sepsis, a spreading of the infection throughout your body.
How to tell if you have mastoiditis?
They include: drainage from the affected ear. ear pain. fever. headache. hearing loss in the affected ear. redness, swelling, and tenderness behind the affected ear.
Causes
Symptoms
- Symptoms of osteomyelitis are not specific and vary with age. Main symptoms include: 1. Bone pain 2. Excessive sweating 3. Fever and chills 4. General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise) 5. Local swelling, redness, and warmth 6. Open wound that may show pus 7. Pain at the site of infection
Exams and Tests
- The health care provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms. The exam may show bone tenderness and possible swelling and redness in the area around the bone. Tests may include: 1. Blood cultures 2. Bone biopsy (the sample is cultured and examined under a microscope) 3. Bone scan 4. Bone x-ray 5. Complete blood count (CBC) 6. C-reactive protein (CR…
Treatment
- The goal of treatment is to get rid of the infection and reduce damage to the bone and surrounding tissues. Antibiotics are given to destroy the bacteria causing the infection: 1. You may receive more than one antibiotic at a time. 2. Antibiotics are taken for at least 4 to 6 weeks, often at home through an IV (intravenously, meaning through a vein). Surgery may be needed to …
Outlook
- With treatment, the outcome for acute osteomyelitis is often good. The outlook is worse for those with long-term (chronic) osteomyelitis. Symptoms may come and go for years, even with surgery. Amputation may be needed, especially in people with diabetes or poor blood circulation. The outlook for people with an infection of a prosthesis depends partly on: 1. The person's health 2. …
When to Contact A Medical Professional
- Call your provider if you: 1. Develop symptoms of osteomyelitis 2. Have osteomyelitis that continues even with treatment