Infection and inflammation of bone and marrow. Usually caused by Staphylococcus Aureus, certain Streptococcus spp, Enterobacter spp, Haemophilus Influenzae, and Salmonella spp in Sickle Cell Anemia cases. See appropriate programs. Also see Infection Bone.Encyclopedia Entry for Osteomyelitis :Osteomyelitis - children. A bone infection is most often caused by bacteria. It can also be caused by fungi or other germs. In children, the long bones of the arms or legs are most often involved. When a child has osteomyelitis: Bacteria or other germs may spread to the bone from infected skin, muscles, or tendons next to the bone. This may occur under a skin sore. The infection can start in another part of the body and spread through the blood to the bone. The infection can be caused by an injury that breaks the skin and bone (open fracture). Bacteria can enter the skin and infect the bone. The infection can also start after bone surgery. This is more likely if the surgery is done after an injury, or if metal rods or plates are placed in the bone. Other risk factors include: Premature birth or delivery complications in newborns Diabetes Poor blood supply Recent injury Sickle cell disease Infection due to a foreign body Pressure ulcers Human bites or animal bites Weak immune system.Osteomyelitis symptoms include: Bone pain Excessive sweating Fever and chills General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling ( malaise ) Local swelling , redness, and warmth Pain at the infection site Swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs Refusing to walk (when leg bones are involved) Infants with osteomylitis may not have a fever or other signs of illness. They might avoid moving the infected limb due to pain.Your child's health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask about the symptoms your child is having. Tests that your child's provider may order include: Blood cultures Bone biopsy (the sample is cultured and examined under a microscope) Bone scan Bone x-ray Complete blood count (CBC) C-reactive protein (CRP) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) MRI of the bone Needle aspiration of the area of the affected bones.The goal of treatment is to stop the infection and reduce damage to the bone and surrounding tissues. Antibiotics are given to destroy the bacteria causing the infection: Your child may receive more than one antibiotic at a time. Antibiotics are taken for at least 4 to 6 weeks, often at home through an IV (intravenously, meaning through a vein). Surgery may be needed to remove dead bone tissue if the child has an infection that does not go away. If there are metal plates near the infection, they may need to be removed. The open space left by the removed bone tissue may be filled with bone graft or packing material. This promotes the growth of new bone tissue. If your child was treated in the hospital for osteomyelitis, be sure to follow the provider's instructions on how to care for your child at home.With treatment, the outcome for acute osteomyelitis is usually good. The outlook is worse for those with long-term (chronic) osteomyelitis. Symptoms may come and go for years, even with surgery.Call your child's provider if: Your child develops symptoms of osteomyelitis Your child has osteomyelitis and the symptoms continue, even with treatment.Bone infection - children; Infection - bone - children.Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis.Dabov GD. Osteomyelitis.Encyclopedia Entry for Osteomyelitis :Osteomyelitis - discharge. Your doctor will ask you to take medicines called antibiotics at home to kill the infection in your bone. At first, you will probably need antibiotics given into a vein in your arm, chest, or neck. At some point, your doctor may switch you to antibiotic pills. While you are on antibiotics, your health care provider may check your blood for signs of toxicity from the medicine. You probably need to take this medicine for at least 3 to 6 weeks. Sometimes, you will need to take it for several months.If you are getting antibiotics through a vein in your arm, chest, or neck : A nurse may come to your home to show you how, or to give you the medicine. You will need to learn how to care for the catheter that is inserted into the vein. You may go to your doctor's office or a special clinic to receive the medicine. You may need to store some of the medicine at home. Be sure to do it the way your provider told you to. You must learn how to keep the area where your IV is clean and dry. You also need to watch for signs of infection (such as redness, swelling, fever, or chills). Make sure you give yourself the medicine at the right time. DO NOT stop taking antibiotics even when you begin to feel better. If you do not take all of your medicine, or take it at the wrong time, the germs may become harder to treat. The infection may come back. If you had surgery on your bone, you may need to wear a splint, brace, or sling to protect your bone. Your provider will tell you whether you can walk on your leg or use your arm. Follow what your provider says you can and can't do. If you do too much before the infection is gone, your bones may get injured. If you have diabetes, it is very important to keep your blood sugar under control.Call your provider if: You have a fever of 100.5 F (38.0 C), or higher, or have chills. You are feeling more tired or ill. The area over your bone is redder or more swollen. You have a new skin ulcer or one that is getting bigger. You have more pain around the bone where the infection is located, or you can no longer put weight on a leg or foot or use your arm or hand.Bone infection - discharge.Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis.Berbari EF, Steckelberg JM, Osmon DR. Osteomyelitis.Encyclopedia Entry for Osteomyelitis :Osteomyelitis. Bone infection is most often caused by bacteria. But it can also be caused by fungi or other germs. When a person has osteomyelitis: Bacteria or other germs may spread to a bone from infected skin, muscles, or tendons next to the bone. This may occur under a skin sore. The infection can start in another part of the body and spread to the bone through the blood. The infection can also start after bone surgery. This is more likely if the surgery is done after an injury or if metal rods or plates are placed in the bone. In children, the long bones of the arms or legs are most often involved. In adults, the feet, spine bones (vertebrae), and hips (pelvis) are most commonly affected. Risk factors are: Diabetes Hemodialysis Poor blood supply Recent injury Use of injected illegal drugs Surgery involving bones Weakened immune system.Symptoms of osteomyelitis are not specific and vary with age. Main symptoms include: Bone pain Excessive sweating Fever and chills General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling ( malaise ) Local swelling , redness, and warmth Open wound that may show pus Pain at the site of infection.The health care provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms. The exam may show bone tenderness and possible swelling and redness in the area around the bone. Tests may include: Blood cultures Bone biopsy (the sample is cultured and examined under a microscope) Bone scan Bone x-ray Complete blood count ( CBC ) C-reactive protein ( CRP ) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR ) MRI of the bone Needle aspiration of the area of the affected bones.The goal of treatment is to get rid of the infection and reduce damage to the bone and surrounding tissues. Antibiotics are given to destroy the bacteria causing the infection: You may receive more than one antibiotic at a time. Antibiotics are taken for at least 4 to 6 weeks, often at home through an IV (intravenously, meaning through a vein). Surgery may be needed to remove dead bone tissue if the above methods fail: If there are metal plates near the infection, they may need to be removed. The open space left by the removed bone tissue may be filled with bone graft or packing material. This promotes resolution of the infection. Infection that occurs after joint replacement may require surgery. This is done to remove the replaced joint and infected tissue in the area. A new prosthesis may be implanted in the same operation. More often, doctors wait until the antibiotic course is finished and the infection has gone away. If you have diabetes , it will need to be well controlled. If there are problems with blood supply to the infected area, such as the foot, surgery may be needed to improve blood flow and get rid of the infection.With treatment, the outcome for acute osteomyelitis is often good. The outlook is worse for those with long-term (chronic) osteomyelitis. Symptoms may come and go for years, even with surgery. Amputation may be needed, especially in people with diabetes or poor blood circulation. The outlook for people with an infection of a prosthesis depends partly on: The person's health The type of infection Whether the infected prosthesis can be safely removed.Call your provider if you: Develop symptoms of osteomyelitis Have osteomyelitis that continues even with treatment.Bone infection.Osteomyelitis - discharge.X-ray X-ray Skeleton Skeleton Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis Bacteria Bacteria.Berbari EF, Steckelberg JM, Osmon DR. Osteomyelitis.