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What is Osteomyelitis? Know the symptoms,causes and more

 What is Osteomyelitis? Know everything about osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is the medical condition in which the bones get infected.  The word osteo means bone and the suffix -itis refers to the inflammation. So a condition when your bone gets infected and inflamed, it is called osteomyelitis.

Germs such as bacteria, fungi, etc. can cause bone infections. In children, the long bones such as femur and humerus are more involved.  In adults, the infection more usually is seen in the hips, spine and feet.

When our bone gets infected, it causes the inner soft tissue material of the bone called bone marrow to swell up and this may actually disrupt the blood supply in long run leading to severe bone damage and or bone loss.

Our bone has its own protective layer and it is hard and resistant enough to any germs or microorgnisms. Unless there is any break in the integrity of the bone tissue, no germs can attack our bones from outside.  Injury due to trauma, falls, fractures, etc may cause our bone to get exposed and this site becomes a potential entry point for the germs.  Germs can however target the bone tissue by flowing into the blood stream and reaching the site of bone. 

Let us find out the signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment approaches as well the prevention of Osteomyelitis. 

Who is at more risk of having osteomyelitis?

People who have:

  • Diabetes
  • Other Chronic infections 
  • Smokers
  • Kidney disease

What are the types of osteomyelitis infection?


Osteomyelitis can have a sudden or gradual onset. Depending upon it, it can be an acute or chronic osteomyelitis. 

What are the signs and symptoms of Osteomyelitis?

The signs and symptoms of osteomyelitis are:
  • Warmth and redness in the affected area
  • Pain in the affected area, eg. lower back pain
  • Weakness and lethargy
  • Inability to move certain body part
  • Feeling tired or fatigue 
  • Fever and chills
  • Swelling of the bones 
  • Enlarged lymph nodes

What are the causes and risk factors of Osteomyelitis?

Osteomyelitis is caused by bacterial or fungal infection. Staphylococcus is the most common knowm bacteria to infect the bone. There can be infection due to other organisms too.

The infection can be caused by these germs getting entry through different mediums such as:

  • Blood stream
  • Injury to the bone
  • Contamination during or after the surgery
Bacterial osteomyelitis is generally blood-borne whereas the fungal osteomyelitis may be a result of skin-borne infection caused by entry of fungus via the break in the skin's integrity, e.g. walking barefooted for long time. 

Risk factors that contribute to osteomyelitis can be:

  • It can occur in almost any age or gender. 
  • People who have chronic disorders such as diabetes, foot ulcers due to diabetes, renal disorders, smokers, etc are at major risk of getting the bone infection or osteomyelitis.
  • People on hemodialysis therapy.
  • People who had recent orthopedic or bone surgery, for examples. artificial hip replacement, screw fixation, etc. 
  • People who had recent bone injury or trauma.
  • People who have sickle cell anemia. 
  • People who have metallic implants in their body. 
  • People with open wounds exposing the bones.
  • People who have low immune levels.
  • Inappropriate or more use of intravenous drug therapy
  • People having circulation disorders.
  • Overuse of corticosteroids and immunosuppresants may increase risk of infections.

What are the complications of osteomyelitis? 

The complications of osteomyelitis can be:
  • Abscess formation
  • Death of the bone also called Osteonecrosis
  • Reduced or blocked bone growth
  • Amputation of foot or affected part
  • Loss of bone

How is osteomyelitis diagnosed?

Osteomyelitis can be diagnosed by radioimaging but only lately when the disease has progressed far beyond. Early stage disease can not be diagnosed on X-rays. 

Diagnostic tests performed are:

  1. Complete blood tests including blood culture test
  2. C-reactive protein test
  3. Bone radiographs. CT scan. MRI, etc. 
  4. Bone scan 
  5. Bone biopsy

How can we prevent osteomyelitis? 

Prevention of Osteomyelitis:

Hygienic precaution is the only preventive measure to save you from osteomyelitis.

  • Make sure you are free from infections. 
  • Always talk to your doctor if you need to be extra careful.
  • If you have diabetes or other chronic illness, you should make sure to avoid any injury or trauma to your feet. 
  • In case you get cuts or scrapes, clean the wound immediately and then apply antiseptic cream.
  • See your doctor immediately if you feel any signs of infection.  
  • Post surgery care of the wound to avoid any possible infections.

What is the treatment of osteomyelitis? 

Osteomyelitis can be treated by antibiotics medications such as antibacterials. Antifungals are prescribed in fungal osteomyelitis. Pain relievers may be used to relieve the symptoms of pain and swelling.  In case of pus or excessive infection, you may have to undergo pus drainage or debridement. Surgery is done in cases where the wound is more infectious and full of pus and is not responding to the treatment. 

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection caused by either bacteria or fungi. bacterial osteomyelitis can be seen in children too. Fungal osteomyelitis is rarely seen. Treatment aims at restoring blood flow to the affected part, restoring the bone function and preventing any further damage to the bone. 

RELATED POSTS: 

What is Osteoporosis? 

Living with osteoporosis? 

Note: This post is for informational and educational purpose only, It is not a substitute to any medical or professional advice or treatment. See your doctor in any case. 

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