Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can, when left untreated, be painful and spread to other areas of your body. It can reach your bone after traveling through the bloodstream from nearby tissues. At Infectious Disease Associates & Travel Medicine in Gainesville, Florida, physician Wendy Garlington, MD, and her skilled team treat osteomyelitis.

request an appointment

What are the symptoms of osteomyelitis?

The symptoms of osteomyelitis include:

  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Swelling
  • Warmth
  • Redness
  • Pain
  • Tenderness

You might have no symptoms or not realize that your symptoms are linked to osteomyelitis because it’s difficult to distinguish between the condition and other medical problems.

Osteomyelitis infections can spread to other areas or cause bone tissue death when left untreated. In children, untreated osteomyelitis can affect their growth.

What causes osteomyelitis?

Osteomyelitis often results from staphylococcus bacteria, which could be present on your skin or inside your nose. These germs can enter bone tissue through injuries, surgery, or nearby tissue infections.

Additional risk factors include:

  • Poorly controlled diabetes
  • Blood circulation disorders
  • Smoking
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Other medical problems

You might be at risk of osteomyelitis if you use dialysis machine tubing, long-lasting intravenous tubing, or urinary catheters. Illicit drug use, cancer treatment, and taking some drugs might cause osteomyelitis.

Take steps to avoid scrapes, animal scratches, cuts, and other wounds that allow germs to enter your body. If you develop a wound, keep the area clean to reduce the risk of infection.

How does my doctor diagnose osteomyelitis?

Your provider asks about your symptoms and medical history to diagnose and treat your condition properly. They examine the areas of your body that display symptoms of osteomyelitis. They also check your vital signs and may order an imaging procedure.

For example, you might need blood tests, a CT scan, MRI, or X-rays. One or more bone biopsies might be necessary to determine if you have osteomyelitis.

How is osteomyelitis treated?

To treat osteomyelitis, your provider often resorts to surgery to remove infected or dead bone tissue. They could drain the treatment area, remove diseased tissues, and restore blood flow to the affected bone. You might also need intravenous (IV) medicines, oral medication, or both.

In severe cases, limb amputation is the best way to reduce the risk of an infection spreading.

Call the Infectious Disease Associates & Travel Medicine office today or use the online scheduler to learn if you have osteomyelitis and to be treated for it.