Most people with osteomyelitis spend a couple of days in the hospital to get IV given in a vein antibiotics to fight the infection. They can go home when they feel better, but might need to continue IV or oral antibiotics for several more weeks.
Sometimes surgery is needed to clean out an infected bone. If a cavity or hole developed in the bone and is filled with pus a collection of bacteria and white blood cells , a doctor will do a debridement. In this procedure, the doctor cleans the wound, removes dead tissue, and drains pus out of the bone so that it can heal.
Most people with osteomyelitis feel better within a few days of starting treatment. IV antibiotics often are switched to oral form in 5 to 10 days. People usually get antibiotics for at least a month, and sometimes longer depending on symptoms and blood test results. One way to prevent osteomyelitis is to keep skin clean. All cuts and wounds — especially deep wounds — should be cleaned well. Wash a wound with soap and water, holding it under running water for at least 5 minutes to flush it out.
To keep the wound clean afterward, cover it with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. You can apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream, but the most important thing is to keep the area clean. An additional workup generally includes blood tests that look at white blood cells as well as markers for inflammation that are usually elevated during an infection.
A blood culture may also be done to look for organisms in the blood that may be causing the infection. X-rays are taken of the affected area. However, they may be normal in early stages of the infection. Magnetic resonance imaging MRI or bone scans may be recommended to identify the cause of bone pain or inflammation.
Computed tomography CT scans can be helpful in later stages of osteomyelitis. Finally, bone aspirations or biopsies are useful in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis and to determine the most appropriate treatment.
In children, these procedures are most often done in the operating room under general anesthesia. The goal for treatment of osteomyelitis is to cure the infection and minimize any long-term complications. Treatment may include:.
Administration of intravenous IV antibiotics , which may require hospitalization or may be given on an outpatient schedule. Intravenous or oral antibiotic treatment for osteomyelitis may be very extensive, lasting for many weeks. Periodontitis is a gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that supports the tooth.
It can normally be prevented through good oral hygiene. When a muscle or soft tissue bruises, the signs can be clear to see. But a bone deep within the soft tissues can also bruise and be less visible…. What is osteomyelitis? Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.
Treatment Symptoms Causes Complications Risk factors Diagnosis Prevention Osteomyelitis is an infection and inflammation of the bone or the bone marrow. Signs and symptoms. Share on Pinterest Pain, redness, and swelling can be a sign of a bone infection. Share on Pinterest A tooth infection can spread to the jaw bone.
Risk factors. Share on Pinterest Cleaning and dressing an open wound can prevent infection. Latest news Could 'cupping' technique boost vaccine delivery? Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What are bone lesions? Types and treatment. What is periodontitis? Everything you need to know about bone bruise. Although once considered incurable, osteomyelitis can now be successfully treated.
Most people need surgery to remove areas of the bone that have died. After surgery, strong intravenous antibiotics are typically needed. Sometimes osteomyelitis causes no signs and symptoms or the signs and symptoms are hard to distinguish from other problems.
This may be especially true for infants, older adults and people whose immune systems are compromised. See your doctor if you experience worsening bone pain along with fever. If you're at risk of infection because of a medical condition or recent surgery or injury, see your doctor right away if you notice signs and symptoms of an infection. Most cases of osteomyelitis are caused by staphylococcus bacteria, types of germs commonly found on the skin or in the nose of even healthy individuals.
Your bones are normally resistant to infection, but this protection lessens as you get older. Other factors that can make your bones more vulnerable to osteomyelitis may include:. A severe bone fracture or a deep puncture wound gives bacteria a route to enter your bone or nearby tissue.
A deep puncture wound, such as an animal bite or a nail piercing through a shoe, can also provide a pathway for infection. Surgery to repair broken bones or replace worn joints also can accidentally open a path for germs to enter a bone. Implanted orthopedic hardware is a risk factor for infection.
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