TabletWise.com
 
An acute or chronic inflammation of the bone and its structures due to infection with pyogenic bacteria.

Symptoms of Osteomyelitis

The following features are indicative of Osteomyelitis:
  • fever
  • chilly sensation
  • irritability
  • lethargy
  • swelling over the area of the infection
  • redness over the area of the infection
It is possible that Osteomyelitis shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

Get TabletWise Pro

Thousands of Classes to Help You Become a Better You.

Common Causes of Osteomyelitis

The following are the most common causes of Osteomyelitis:
  • presence of germs in bloodstream
  • infected prosthetic joints
  • open wounds

Risk Factors for Osteomyelitis

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Osteomyelitis:
  • diabetes
  • intravenous drug use
  • prior removal of the spleen

Prevention of Osteomyelitis

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Osteomyelitis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • application of clean bandage over cuts and scrapes

Occurrence of Osteomyelitis

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Osteomyelitis cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Rare between 10K - 50K cases

Common Age Group

Osteomyelitis can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Osteomyelitis can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Osteomyelitis

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Osteomyelitis:
  • Blood testing: Reveals elevated levels of white blood cells
  • X-rays: Reveals damage caused to bones
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan: To see detailed cross-sectional views of a patient's internal structures
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Gives detailed diagnosis of bones and soft tissues

Doctor for Diagnosis of Osteomyelitis

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Osteomyelitis:
  • Infectious Disease Specialist
  • Orthopedic Surgeon

Complications of Osteomyelitis if untreated

Yes, Osteomyelitis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Osteomyelitis is left untreated:
  • osteonecrosis
  • septic arthritis
  • skin cancer
  • impaired growth

Procedures for Treatment of Osteomyelitis

The following procedures are used to treat Osteomyelitis:
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Act as an useful adjunct to the treatment of refractory osteomyelitis
  • Surgery: Removes diseased bone and tissue to restore blood flow to the bones

Self-care for Osteomyelitis

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Osteomyelitis:
  • Application of clean bandage over cuts and scrapes: Prevents entry of germs into wounds

Patient Support for Treatment of Osteomyelitis

The following actions may help Osteomyelitis patients:
  • Online support groups: Provides information to patients regarding prevention and cures of Osteomyelitis

Time for Treatment of Osteomyelitis

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Osteomyelitis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 1 - 3 months

Is Osteomyelitis Infectious?

Yes, Osteomyelitis is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
  • entry of germs through bloodstream

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Osteomyelitis.

Related Topics

Osteomyelitis

Sign Up



Share

Share with friends, get 20% off
Invite your friends to TabletWise learning marketplace. For each purchase they make, you get 20% off (upto $10) on your next purchase.