Health Topics for Bones, Joints and Muscles

Bone and Muscle Cancer

Department of Orthopaedics

Sports Related Injuries

Rheumatology Clinic

Pediatrics Rheumatology

UI Spine Center

Bone infection (osteomyelitis)

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. Infections in the bones are usually caused by an infection elsewhere in the body that spreads by the blood to a bone. It may also be caused by an open wound like a puncture wound, or a broken bone that comes through the skin.

Symptoms may include:

• fever and chills
• pain or tenderness and
• skin over the bone may be red, swollen and tender

If not treated as soon as possible, a bone infection may destroy bone or spread. Sometimes it may become long-term or chronic.

Certain diseases and medications may increase the chance of developing a bone infection. These include:

• diabetes
• cancer or chemotherapy for cancer
• sickle cell disease or
• alcoholism

The following methods may be used to diagnose osteomyelitis:

• a complete history
• a physical examination
• blood tests which check for infection
• x-rays, bone scan, or MRI scan

Bone infections are treated with rest and antibiotics given into the veins. After a while, the antibiotics may be changed to ones that can be taken by mouth. Antibiotics will need to be taken for several weeks or several months. Often bone infections can be treated at home. Sometimes it may be necessary for the person to start treatment in the hospital. Occasionally, surgery is used to clean out the area where the infection occurs.

The healthcare provider should be contacted whenever there is bone pain or tenderness.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File BONE3444.RF2 VRS# 7631 Version 7.0 Copyright 1999, 2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.