Symptoms and Other Important Information on Bone Infections

Osteomyelitis, more commonly known as bone infection, is a serious condition that needs to be treated by a skilled medical professional. However, not many people are aware of the symptoms of osteomyelitis, how bone infections are caused, or what their treatment options are.

Causes of Bone Infections

Like other infections, bacteria or fungus can cause osteomyelitis. The infection may not begin in the bone, but, instead, begin in another area of the body and travel to bone through the bloodstream. In most cases, however, a recent injury (trauma or surgery) makes the bone more susceptible to osteomyelitis by exposing the bone to bacteria on the skin or in the environment.

Who Is at Risk?

Osteomyelitis affects about 2 in every 10,000 people, giving a person a .02 percent chance of suffering from some form of bone infection. However, osteomyelitis can affect anyone at any age. In children, the bone infection tends to affect the long bones. Adults are usually affected in the smaller bones of the feet, spine and pelvis.

A large risk factor for osteomyelitis is recent bone trauma. However, other people at risk include those:

• With diabetes
• Who are I.V. drug users
• Who have had their spleen removed
• Undergoing hemodialysis
• Who use tobacco products
• With other conditions that cause a compromised ability to heal

Osteomyelitis Symptoms

Bone pain is very common in patients suffering from osteomyelitis. Other common signs and symptoms that might also imply presence of a bone infection (typically in combination with bone pain), include:

• Fever
• General discomfort or malaise
• Nausea
• Localized swelling and redness

Less common symptoms that can also be a sign of osteomyelitis, include:

• Chills
• Lower back pain
• Excessive perspiration
• Swelling of the lower extremities

Anyone suffering from the above symptoms should seek medical assistance and should discuss the possibility of osteomyelitis, especially if they have recently sustained a bone injury. There are several types of tests that can help with the diagnosis, including x-rays, CT and MRI scans, Nuclear Medicine scans, blood cultures and blood tests such as a white bloodcell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and a C-reactive protein (CRP) level. 

Osteomyelitis Treatment Options

Because osteomyelitis is a rare infection, when it does develop, a patient should seek the assistance of an orthopedic surgeon with extensive knowledge in the treatment of bone infection. Typically, antibiotics will be used in the course of treatment. Antibiotics, alone, are usually not enough to cure osteomyelitis once it is established for more than 6 weeks. In many cases, surgery is needed to remove (debride) the focus of infection and, if necessary, any infected dead bone within the wound. Bone grafts, bone tranpsort segments and free bone transfers may also be needed.   At REOrthopaedics, less than 6% of all patients presenting to the Osteomyelitis Treatment Center require amputation as a form of reconstruction.  

Speaking with the Right People

It is important for patients with osteomyelitis to work with medical professionals skilled in handling osteomyelitis. Dr. George Cierny and Dr. Doreen DiPasquale at REOrthopaedics, Inc. in San Diego are the leaders in helping patients from Southern California, Mexico, and throughout the United States who are suffering from bone infection. Schedule an osteomyelitis consultation at their Southern California office to get more information on the treatment of this painful bone infection.