Bone infection (osteomyelitis): what to watch for and what helps
Bone infection, also called osteomyelitis, happens when bacteria or fungi reach bone tissue. It can start after an injury, surgery, or from a nearby skin infection. Sometimes it spreads through the blood. If you ignore it, the infection can destroy bone and take a long time to heal. Catching it early makes treatment easier and faster.
Common causes include Staphylococcus aureus (a frequent skin germ), open fractures, surgical implants, and slow-healing ulcers in people with diabetes. Kids often get it after a bloodstream infection, while adults may get it after trauma or surgery. If you have a weakened immune system, you have a higher risk.
How to spot a bone infection
Here are signs that suggest bone infection: ongoing bone pain that’s worse with movement, swelling and redness over a bone, fever, night sweats, and sometimes a draining sore that won’t close. In diabetic foot cases you might only notice a small sore or bad-smelling discharge. If discomfort keeps getting worse over days, don’t wait—see a doctor.
Doctors use blood tests (white blood cell count, CRP), imaging, and cultures to confirm the diagnosis. X-rays can miss early infection, so providers often order an MRI for the best view. A bone biopsy or wound culture gives the exact germ and helps pick the right antibiotic.
Treatment and recovery tips
Treatment usually combines antibiotics and good wound care. Most people start on IV antibiotics in the hospital, then switch to strong oral antibiotics for several weeks—often 4 to 6 weeks or longer for chronic cases. Always finish the full course even if you feel better. If dead bone or an abscess is present, surgery to remove infected tissue may be needed.
Practical tips that help recovery: keep wounds clean and dry, follow dressing-change instructions, attend all follow-up appointments, and get lab tests as recommended. Control chronic conditions like diabetes—high blood sugar slows healing. Avoid smoking; it reduces blood flow and delays recovery. If you have an implant, ask your surgeon whether it can be saved or must be removed.
Some hard-to-heal infections need long-term oral antibiotics or repeated surgeries. In severe diabetic foot infections, podiatry and vascular teams may be involved to improve blood flow and prevent recurrence. Hyperbaric oxygen can help in select cases, but it’s not a routine first-line option.
When to see emergency care: sudden high fever, spreading redness, rapidly worsening pain, or a wound with pus and foul smell. If a doctor prescribes antibiotics, ask about side effects, interactions, and whether a culture confirmed the germ. Quick action and proper follow-up are the best ways to beat a bone infection and prevent long-term problems.
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- May 14 2024
- Tony Newman
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