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.
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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: