The most common signs of osteomyelitis are bone pain and a high temperature.
Acute osteomyelitis
Most cases of acute osteomyelitis involve one of the long bones in the legs. However, sometimes the bones in the arm or the vertebrae (in the back) can be affected.
The symptoms of acute osteomyelitis include:
- a sudden high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or above, although this symptom is often absent in children under one year old
- bone pain, which can often be severe
- swelling, redness and warmth at the site of the infection
- a general sense of feeling unwell
- the affected body part is tender to touch
- the range of movement in the affected body part is restricted
- lymph nodes (glands) near the affected body part may be swollen
In teenagers and adults, these symptoms tend to develop within a few weeks of an injury or accident, such as a broken bone.
Young children who cannot talk may be unable to report their painful symptoms to you. You should look out for the following signs and symptoms:
- irritability
- eating much less than usual
- reluctance to use the affected body part
Chronic osteomyelitis
In cases of chronic osteomyelitis, symptoms are usually a recurrence of those that have been experienced during a previous infection.
Once chronic osteomyelitis is established, the person affected may have periods of almost no symptoms. However, symptoms can flare up at any time. For example, you may experience:
- bone pain
- feeling persistently tired
- pus draining from the sinus tract (a passageway that develops near the infected bone)
- local swelling
- skin changes
- excessive sweating
- chills
When to seek medical advice
You should always visit your GP if you or your child develops a high temperature (fever) and persistent bone pain, or if you are worried about symptoms in a very young child.