Overview
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that affects different bones in children and adults. Typically, it affects the long bones of the legs in children and the hips, spine, and feet in adults. Discover how to treat this condition, its symptoms, and its causes by reading this article.
What is Osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis is a medical ailment in which the bone and adjacent tissue become inflamed and infected. The infection is typically caused by bacteria that penetrate the bone through a wound or spread from another infected area via the bloodstream. It can happen all of a sudden or develop over a long period.
In the general population, the prevalence of Osteomyelitis is estimated to be around 2-5 cases per 10,000 people per year. Also, neglecting the treatment of Osteomyelitis may result in bone damage, abscesses, and sepsis. Therefore, it is essential to consult your doctor promptly.
What are the types of Osteomyelitis?
Types of Osteomyelitis are the following:
- Acute Osteomyelitis: It is a form of bone infection that manifests quickly and is commonly triggered by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. It typically impacts only one bone and may come with symptoms such as high fever, chills, and intense pain.
- Chronic Osteomyelitis: It is a severe infection of the bone that doesn’t go away with treatments. It is usually caused by bacteria that have become antibiotic-resistant, and it often involves multiple bones. It causes pain, recurring drainage, and damage to the bones.
There are also other types of Osteomyelitis that may be classified based on their cause or location, such as:
- Vertebral Osteomyelitis affects your spine. This condition can cause chronic spinal pain that gets worse whenever you move. It may occur after injury to the spine or post-surgery. Treatments such as resting, heating pads, and pain relievers don’t work. It rarely causes a fever.
- Hematogenous Osteomyelitis is a form of Osteomyelitis that results when bacteria from a distant infection disseminate through the bloodstream and infect a bone.
- Contiguous Osteomyelitis occurs when bacteria from a nearby infection move to a bone, as in the case of open fractures or surgical wounds.
What are the sign and symptoms of osteomyelitis?
Usually, the first symptom that occurs is pain at the infected site. Other common Osteomyelitis symptoms may include the following:
- Fever and chills
- Redness in the infected or injured site
- Night sweats
- Irritability
- Feeling tired and unwell
- Drainage (pus) from the area
- Swelling in the affected areas
- Stiffness
- Inability to use an afflicted limb
It is crucial to understand that the symptoms of Osteomyelitis can overlap with those of other medical conditions. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis requires a comprehensive physical examination and diagnostic imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans. If you suspect you may be experiencing Osteomyelitis symptoms, seeking immediate medical attention is essential for an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
Signs of Complications
Osteomyelitis complications may include the following:
- Bone death: An infection in your bone can slow down the blood circulation within the bone, leading to permanent bone destruction.
- Skin cancer: If Osteomyelitis leads to an open sore draining pus, the surrounding skin is more likely to develop squamous cell cancer.
- Joint damage: Osteomyelitis may cause harm to the joints by spreading to them and damaging their cartilage and other tissues.
- Septicemia: Osteomyelitis can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream, leading to a life-threatening condition known as sepsis.
Furthermore, Osteomyelitis commonly develops in three stages, which are as follows:
- Acute Osteomyelitis: This stage typically appears within the first two weeks after infection, and it is usually marked by symptoms such as inflammation, fever, and pain.
- Subacute Osteomyelitis: It typically occurs within one to several months after infection and is characterized by persistent pain and inflammation.
- Chronic Osteomyelitis: This stage develops after several months of infection and is marked by bone destruction, pus formation, and chronic draining wounds.
How osteomyelitis is diagnosed?
The osteomyelitis diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. The following are some common methods used for diagnosing Osteomyelitis:
Diagnostic Tests
Several diagnostic tests may be used to diagnose Osteomyelitis. These tests include:
- Blood tests: Blood tests identify inflammation and infection in the body. Elevated levels of white blood cells and inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are considered indications of Osteomyelitis.
- Biopsy: A bone biopsy is a highly accurate diagnostic tool for Osteomyelitis and is often used when the diagnosis is uncertain or when antibiotic treatment is ineffective. It is typically done under local anesthesia using a needle, but in some cases, it may require surgery.
- Imaging tests: X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, or bone scans help detect bone infections and abnormalities. X-rays are generally the primary imaging test, but they may only show abnormalities once the condition has advanced. More sensitive techniques like CT scans and MRI scans can identify Osteomyelitis at an earlier stage than X-rays.
How to prevent osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis prevention primarily involves minimizing the risk of infections that can lead to the condition. This includes:
- Practicing good hygiene: Good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly, keeping wounds clean and covered, and avoiding contact with potentially contaminated materials, can help prevent infections.
- Treating infections promptly: Promptly treating infections, such as skin infections, can help prevent the spread of bacteria to the bones.
- Managing chronic conditions: Proper management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, can help reduce the risk of developing infections that may lead to Osteomyelitis.
- Getting vaccinated: Vaccines can help prevent certain infections, such as those caused by pneumococcal bacteria, which can lead to Osteomyelitis.
- Proper wound care: Proper wound care includes cleaning and dressing wounds promptly, avoiding unnecessary surgeries, and carefully following the doctor’s instructions after surgery.
In terms of management, it is important to seek prompt medical attention if any signs or symptoms of Osteomyelitis are present, mainly if there is a history of bone infections or recent surgeries. Following the prescribed treatment plan, including taking antibiotics and attending follow-up appointments, is essential to ensure complete recovery and prevent a recurrence. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can strengthen the immune system and prevent infections.
What are the importance of early diagnosis and treatment?
The significance of early identification and treatment of Osteomyelitis cannot be emphasized enough. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent the spread of infection, decrease the chance of complications, and enhance the outcome. A delay in identifying and treating the condition can cause the infection to spread to nearby tissues and bones, resulting in a challenging treatment process that may necessitate more aggressive management. Furthermore, chronic Osteomyelitis can result in the formation of abscesses and damage to the bones, leading to permanent harm. Managing chronic Osteomyelitis can be difficult, requiring long-term antibiotic therapy and multiple surgeries, which can be physically and emotionally challenging for the patient. Therefore, you must consult the doctor immediately if you experience any signs of Osteomyelitis.
When should I see a doctor?
It is essential to consult a doctor if you experience any symptoms of Osteomyelitis, such as persistent bone pain, swelling, redness, fever, and chills that do not improve with rest and over-the-counter pain medications. Additionally, if you have had recent surgery, have an open wound, or have a weakened immune system, you may be at a higher risk for developing Osteomyelitis and should seek medical attention promptly.
FAQs
There is not much difference between osteomyelitis in children and adults, except it can affect different body parts with age. Long bones are mainly affected in children, and joints, hips, and spinal bones in adults.
The choice of the most potent antibiotic for cellulitis may differ based on the situation, but vancomycin, daptomycin, or linezolid are frequently prescribed as intravenous (IV) antibiotics for severe cases.
Yes, it is possible to fully recover from Osteomyelitis with prompt and appropriate treatment. However, the extent of recovery depends on the severity of the infection and how quickly it is diagnosed and treated.
Osteomyelitis commonly affects the long bones of arms or legs in children, while in adults, the feet, pelvis, and vertebrae are frequently affected.