Carenotes > Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is osteomyelitis? Osteomyelitis (os-te-o-mi-e-LI-tis) is a severe infection of the bone. It may be acute (sudden), occurring within days or weeks, or chronic (long-standing), staying for months or years. Osteomyelitis can happen to anyone of any age. It may affect any bone, but often involves the long and larger bones, especially the tibia (shin bone). In children, it more often affects the long bones. In adults, it more often affects the spine and pelvis.

What causes osteomyelitis? Osteomyelitis may be caused by different types of germs, including bacteria and fungi. Bacteria usually cause bone infection by infecting an open fracture (broken bone with open skin wound). You may also get osteomyelitis after a bone operation. Germs from another infection may also get to your bone by traveling through the blood. Sometimes, an IV drug abuser's dirty needle causes the infection to occur.

What are the risk factors of having osteomyelitis? Anything that causes a weak immune system or poor blood flow may increase your risk for having osteomyelitis. The immune system is the part of your body that fights infection. The following may put you at higher risk for developing a bone infection:

• Being malnourished (having poor nutrition).
  
  
• Being elderly or on hemodialysis
  
  
• Cigarette smoking or drinking too much alcohol for a long time. Alcohol is in beer, wine, liquor, such as vodka and whiskey, and other adult drinks.
  
  
• Having a low blood pressure.
  
  
• Having certain diseases, such as diabetes, sickle cell anemia, chronic granulomatous disease, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  
  
• Intravenous drug use.
  
  
• Taking certain medicines, such as anti-cancer medicines or steroids.

What are the signs and symptoms of osteomyelitis? Signs and symptoms of osteomyelitis will depend on how mild or severe your infection is. You may have pain, redness, swelling on the infected bone area, fever, or night sweats. If the leg bone is affected, you may have a hard time moving it. You also may not be able to put any weight on it. The infected area may be bruised or discolored, and the bones may look out of place. There may be pus draining out of the skin.

How is osteomyelitis diagnosed? Your caregiver will take a detailed health history from you. This includes information about your injury, past surgeries, medicines, or any diseases you may have had. You may need one or more of the following tests:

• Blood tests: Different blood tests may be done to see if you have an infection and what may be causing your infection. You may need to have blood taken for tests more than once.
  
  
• Bone biopsy and cultures: This is when a small piece of tissue is removed from your bone. This will be sent to the lab for tests. The sample taken will also be checked to learn what may be causing your infection. It can also tell your caregiver what medicines may best treat the infection.
  
  
• Imaging tests:
  
  
  • Bone scan: This is a test to look at your bones. You are given a small, safe amount of radioactive dye in an IV. Pictures are then taken of your bones. Caregivers can look at the pictures for broken bones, infections, or cancer in the bones.
    
    
  • Computerized tomography scan: This test is also called a CT or CAT scan. An x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your bone. Before taking the pictures, you may be given a dye through an IV in your vein. The dye helps the damaged bony areas and blood vessels show up better in the pictures. People who are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to this dye. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any of these.
    
    
  • Magnetic resonance imaging: This test is also called an MRI. During the MRI, pictures are taken of your bone. Caregivers use these pictures to look for damaged bony areas or infection in your bones. You will need to lie still during an MRI. Never enter the MRI room with an oxygen tank, watch, or any other metal objects. This can cause serious injury. Tell your caregiver if you have any metal implants in your body.
    
    
  • X-rays: Pictures of your bone will help caregivers learn if you have broken or weak bones. Bone x-rays may also show if you have a bone infection or metallic implants causing problems.

How is osteomyelitis treated? The goal of treatment for osteomyelitis is to get rid of the infection and control your symptoms. Treatment will depend on your age and how you got osteomyelitis. You may need one or more of the following:

• Medicine: Your caregiver will give you medicine to fight the infection, such as antibiotics or anti-fungal medicine. You may also be given medicine to treat fever or decrease pain.
  
  
• Surgery: You may need surgery depending on how bad your osteomyelitis is. Surgery can be done to remove the infected, damaged, and dead bone. Some tissues around the affected bone may need to be removed. This may help keep the infection from spreading to other bones and other parts of your body. Skin, bone, and muscle grafts may be placed after cleaning infection out of large areas. Sometimes, amputation to remove an arm, leg, or foot may be needed because of a life-threatening infection.

With treatment, such as medicines and surgery, you have a greater chance of having a full recovery.

Where can I find more information? Osteomyelitis may be a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have a serious bone infection is hard. You, your family, and those close to you may feel scared, sad, or angry. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers. your family, or friends about your feelings. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  6300 North River Road
  Rosemont, IL 600184262
  Phone: 1-847-8237186
  Web Address: http://www.aaos.org/
  

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease
  Information Clearinghouse
  National Institutes of Health
  1 AMS Circle
  Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
  Phone: 1-301-495-4484
  Phone: 1-877-226-4267
  Web Address: http://www.niams.nih.gov
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page