Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a serious condition that might lead to very severe complications if not managed rapidly.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis occurs when an infection spreads to the bones from a nearby tissue through the bloodstream and causes an inflammation.

Causes and risk factors leading to osteomyelitis

In most of the cases, osteomyelitis happens because of staphylococcus bacteria that live on the skin or in the nose of all people and seize the opportunity, like when there is a wound or a surgery site, to get into the bloodstream and reach the bones.

The risk of osteomyelitis increases due to the following factors:

• Weakened immune system.
• Certain conditions, like sickle cell anemia, bedsores, peripheral artery disease, and diabetes.
• Procedures that use medical tubing and dialysis.
• Using nonsterile needles or getting stabbed with a contaminated thing.

Symptoms of osteomyelitis

• Fever.
• Tiredness and weakness.
• Pain and swelling in the infection area.
• Skin discoloration.
• Sweating and chills.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Complications of osteomyelitis

• Abscesses (pockets filled with pus) that break through the skin.
• Osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue), which occurs if the blood flow to the bone gets blocked.
• The infection might spread to a close joint.
• Osteomyelitis could affect the bone growth in children.

Diagnosis of osteomyelitis

• Physical exam.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Bone biopsy.

Treatment of osteomyelitis

• Surgery to remove the infected parts of the bone.
• Medications.
• The risk of osteomyelitis can be reduced by taking good care of wounds or surgical sites and practicing good hygiene in general.