Osteomyelitis is inflammation or swelling that occurs in the bone. It can result from an infection somewhere else in the body that has spread to the bone, or it can start in the bone, often due to an injury. Infections can reach a bone through the bloodstream or spread from nearby tissue. Infections can also begin in the bone if an injury exposes it to germs.

Osteomyelitis is more common in younger children (five and under) but can happen at any age.

Symptoms

Causes
In most cases, osteomyelitis is caused by a type of bacteria found on the skin, Staphylococcus. The bone may become infected after an injury, such as a bone fracture or surgery.
Osteomyelitis can also develop when an infection in another part of the body, such as a urinary tract infection or pneumonia, spreads through the blood to the bone.

When osteomyelitis develops due to an infection, injury or underlying condition, it is called acute osteomyelitis. It is called chronic osteomyelitis if the condition continues or keeps coming back.

Osteomyelitis is more common in people with immune system problems or chronic diseases such as diabetes, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, sickle cell anemia or kidney disease requiring dialysis.

Diagnosis
A doctor may diagnose osteomyelitis by doing a blood test or swabbing the wound. Although a blood test cannot tell whether osteomyelitis is present, it may be used to detect signs of infection, including the bacteria causing the infection.

Sometimes the doctor will take a tissue or bone biopsy, where a small piece of bone is removed for testing. They may do imaging tests such as x-rays, MRI, CT scans, bone scans or ultrasounds.

Risk factors
Smokers and people with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney failure, are more at risk of developing osteomyelitis. People who have diabetes may develop osteomyelitis in their feet if they have foot ulcers.

Treatment

Acute osteomyelitis is usually treated with antibiotics for at least 4 to 6 weeks. The antibiotics are first given intravenously (through a vein), then as tablets once symptoms improve.

In more severe cases, and for chronic osteomyelitis, surgery may be needed to remove damaged bone or tissue or infected plates or screws.

Osteomyelitis can be successfully treated. However, it is important to prevent it from happening again. It is important to follow the treatment instructions from the doctor.

Sources:
Health Direct
Mayo Clinic

Note
Medical conditions MUST always be diagnosed by a medical professional.
The above has been structured to provide basic information to HWH Support Workers and Clinical Care Managers.