Bone Infection

Bone infection or osteomyelitis is a potentially serious condition. Pus can build up in the bone, drain through a sinus, and break through the skin, according to the Physicians' Desktop Reference. Osteomyelitis can be either acute or serious.

Causes

• Osteomyelitis can be caused by bone injury or trauma, surgical complications, or spread of germs from elsewhere in the body. Infections in diabetic patients can also spread to the bone. Germs that commonly cause bone infections include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, E.coli, Salmonella. Infections of mixed bacteria and fungi can also occur.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

• Fever, localized bone pain, redness, heat, swelling, fatigue, chills and vomiting can all occur in osteomyelitis. Diagnostic tests include white blood cell count, sedimentation rate, bone biopsy, cultures of bone, blood, joint fluid, or pus. X-ray, MRI, CT, or radioactive bone scans may be ordered.

Treatment

• Accurate diagnosis is important in bone infection. With the proper antimicrobials, surgical removal of infected tissue, and an otherwise healthy patient, prognosis can be very favorable. In extreme cases, amputation may be necessary. Immunocompromised patients are more prone to chronic osteomyelitis.