Osteomyelitis is the medical term for a bone infection, usually caused by bacteria.
Symptoms of osteomyelitis may include:
- a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
- bone pain, which can often be intense
- swelling, redness and a warm sensation in the affected area
Osteomyelitis most commonly affects the long bones in the legs, but other bones, such as those in the back or arms, can also be affected.
Read more about the symptoms of osteomyelitis.
The condition is often referred to as acute osteomyelitis when the infection develops following an injury, infection or underlying condition. It’s referred to as chronic osteomyelitis when the condition regularly returns.
When to see your GP
Osteomyelitis can affect people of any age, so you should visit your GP if you or your child experiences persistent bone pain with a fever.
Very young children do not always develop a fever when they have osteomyelitis and they may not be able to communicate that they have bone pain. You should see your GP if your child becomes irritable, has a reduced appetite and is reluctant to use a certain part of their body (most often an arm or leg).
Why does osteomyelitis happen?
Osteomyelitis develops when the bone becomes infected. In most cases, bacteria is responsible for the infection, although it can also be caused by fungi.
Blood tests and a biopsy may be used to determine whether you have an infection and what caused it. Read more about diagnosing osteomyelitis.
There are two ways the infection can occur:
- following an injury (known as contiguous osteomyelitis) – such as a fractured bone, animal bite or during surgery
- via the bloodstream (known as haematogenous osteomyelitis)
Contiguous osteomyelitis is more common in adults, whereas haematogenous osteomyelitis is more common in children.
Certain things can increase your chances of developing osteomyelitis. For example, if you have a condition that affects the blood supply to certain parts of your body, such as diabetes, or a condition that weakens the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteomyelitis can become chronic osteomyelitis if not treated quickly, as the bones can become permanently damaged, resulting in persistent pain and loss of function.
Read more about the causes of osteomyelitis.
How is osteomyelitis treated?
Osteomyelitis is usually treated with antibiotics, used for at least four to six weeks. At first, you may have to receive this while staying in hospital, but you should be able to take them at home when you start to get better.
In severe or chronic cases of osteomyelitis, surgery may be used in combination with antibiotics. Surgery is most often used to remove damaged bone and drain pus from wounds.
Read more about treating osteomyelitis.
Complications
Osteomyelitis usually responds well to antibiotics. However, for people with underlying conditions which increase the risk of osteomyelitis, such as diabetes, there is a chance the infection could come back.
As a last resort, amputation is sometimes used if the blood supply to the bone is severely reduced. However, these days it is highly unlikely this will be necessary, as the condition can usually be treated before it reaches this stage.
Read more about the complications of osteomyelitis.
Preventing osteomyelitis
It is not always possible to avoid getting osteomyelitis, however, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances.
Cleaning wounds thoroughly with water and dressing them in a clean bandage will reduce your chances of getting an infection from an injury.
Improving your general health will help reduce the risk of developing osteomyelitis or another condition that causes high blood pressure or a weakened immune system.
Read more about preventing osteomyelitis.
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