OSTEOMYELITIS

OSTEOMYELITIS

The infection can spread through the bloodstream and travel to the bone or it can start in the bone itself if the bone is exposed to bacteria from a wound

In children, Osteomyelitis mostly affects the long bones in the arms and legs.
In adults it affects the spine and people with diabetes it can affect their feet if they have foot ulcers .

OSTEOMYELITIS

• Was once considered incurable
• We can now cure it with a surgery (to remove the dead bone) and strong medication

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS

• Fever and chills
• Irritability in young children
• Pain in the area of infection
• Swelling, warmth and redness in the infected area
• Sometimes there are no symptoms

CAUSES

• Most cases of osteomyelitis are caused by staphylococcus bacteria, types of germs commonly found on the skin or in the nose

CAUSES

• Bloodstream: the bacteria in other parts of your body can travel through the bloodstream to a weak part of bone
• Open wound: the bacteria can enter the body if you have a broken bone so sever that it's sticking thought the skin
• Infected tissue: a puncture wound can carry the bacteria deep inside the body and can cause an infection

RISK FACTORS

• Recent injury or orthopedic surgery: A severe bone fracture or a deep puncture wound gives infections a route to enter your bone or nearby tissue. Surgery to repair broken bones or replace worn joints also can accidentally open a path for germs to enter a bone.
• Conditions that impair the immune system: Chemotherapy,Poorly controlled diabetes, Needing to take corticosteroids or drugs called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors

RISK FACTORS

• Illicit drugs: People who inject illicit drugs are more likely to develop osteomyelitis because they typically use nonsterile needles and don't sterilize their skin before injections.

COMPLICATIONS

• Osteomyelitis may cause
• Osteonecrosis (bone death)
• Septic arthritis
• Impaired growth
• Skin and bone cancer

TESTS

• Blood tests
• X-rays
• CT Scan
• MRI
• Bone biopsy

TREATMENTS

• Drain the infected area
• Remove infected bone and tissue
• Restore blood flow to the bone
• Remove any foreign objects
• Amputate the limp, but it's only a last resort

MEDICATION

• A bone biopsy will reveal what type of germ is causing your infection, so your doctor can choose an antibiotic that works particularly well for that type of infection. The antibiotics are usually administered through a vein in your arm for at least four to six weeks.

Sites: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteomyelitis/basics/definiti...