Description
An infection in a bone. It is particularly common for bone infection to occur in the spine (vertebra), in the foot or heel, or next to an artificial joint if the joint becomes infected. Osteomyelitis of the spine usually occurs after another serious infection has spread to the blood, bringing bacteria into the bone. Osteomyelitis of the foot or heel usually occurs with spread of infection from a foot ulcer (open skin sore).
Symptoms
Pain, fever, drainage of pus through the skin, skin ulcer (open sore).
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. X-rays and MRI can show bone infection. A bone biopsy and culture is typically done. This requires surgery.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Bone scan, blood cultures, needle aspiration, bone lesion biopsy
Specialists:
Orthopedic Surgery, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine, Podiatry, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. X-rays and MRI can show bone infection. A bone biopsy and culture is typically done. This requires surgery.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Bone scan, blood cultures, needle aspiration, bone lesion biopsy
Specialists:
Orthopedic Surgery, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine, Podiatry, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Treatment
Intravenous antibiotics will be given, followed by oral antibiotics; Surgery may be needed to remove dead bone tissue. If an artificial joint becomes infected the hardware may need to be removed. Bone infection requires many weeks of intravenous antibiotic treatment (6 weeks or longer) and often requires a long hospital stay.