Osteomyelitis is a rare orthopedic condition that occurs either due to bacterial or fungal infection in the bone. This is known to be a rare condition that generally affects about 2 in every 10,000 people. One of the scariest facts about this condition is that if timely treatment of this condition is not provided or if left untreated, it could be life-threatening. In children, long bones like the femur and tibia are most commonly affected. While on the other hand, adults experience bone infections in the hip, spine, and feet.
Surgery for the treatment of osteomyelitis is required in chronic cases and it may involve the removal of foreign objects and affected parts of the bone. Unlike other orthopedic cases like fractures, the use of Trauma Implants is not generally seen.
Osteomyelitis – An Overview
Abbreviated as OM, osteomyelitis is the condition where a bone gets infected. Bacterial infection of bone in osteomyelitis is more common than a fungal infection. There are a few ways by which the infection occurs to the bone. It may pass through the bloodstream as a result of infection to any other location in the body or could directly occur to the bone after an injury or orthopedic surgeries like joint replacement or fracture repairs.
Who is More Prone to Developing Osteomyelitis?
The bacteria causing osteomyelitis does not discriminate in adults & children, and hence, this condition could occur in both children and adults. But the region where bacteria affect children & adults could be different. For example, vertebrae and the pelvis are the most affected areas in adults whereas, in children, long bones, especially the adjacent ends are more prone. Below mentioned are some of the conditions that make people at high risk for developing osteomyelitis:
- Diabetes
- People receiving hemodialysis
- People with weak immunity
- Sickle cell disease
- Drug abusers (intravenous)
- Elderly people
Causes of Osteomyelitis
Staphylococcus Aureus is the bacterial species that is the most common cause of osteomyelitis. This bacterium travels to bone through the bloodstream to cause infection. S. Aureus is known to commonly appear on the skin but without causing any infection. But, if it appears in people with a weak immune system due to any reason, it can invade and cause infection.
Symptoms of Osteomyelitis
The symptoms may vary according to the severity of infection yet, more or less they are similar. Pain at the infected site is the most symptom noticed while the others being:
- Fever & chills
- Redness & tenderness in the affected area
- Irritability at the infected site
- Swelling
- Limited or no mobility of the affected limb
- Nausea
- Drainage through the skin
Diagnosing Osteomyelitis
Diagnosis of osteomyelitis may require multiple tests and they will be decided by the doctor after a physical examination and medical history check. The physical examination will help the doctor identify the visual problems like redness & swelling, tenderness, warmth to touch, limited range of motion, and extent of the injury. Besides this, a medical history check of the condition will assist the doctor to know the exact cause of the condition. After this, the doctor will recommend imaging tests like X-ray, CT scan, or MRI to closely assess the situation.
Sometimes, blood tests, urine tests, and stool tests may also be performed to check the bacteria. To check metabolic and cellular activities of the bone, bone scans may also be performed.
The Treatment
Antibiotic course for around 4-6 weeks in moderate cases is generally given and is found to be effective as well. While on the other hand, chronic conditions may require surgery for debridement, drainage, removal of foreign objects, stabilize the infected bone, and restore the blood flow.
Most cases of this condition are found to be treated at home whereas, some might require hospitalization.
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