Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Prevention
If left untreated, this condition may become chronic and cause blood supply loss—this may eventually lead to the death of bone tissues.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Some people with osteomyelitis don’t have any symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they are often similar to what you would see with other types of infections, including:
Osteomyelitis is considered acute if it is diagnosed within two weeks and chronic if it has been present for longer periods. The chronic form is less likely to have systemic symptoms such as fever and elevated white blood cell count, and blood cultures are less likely to be positive. Blood cultures are more likely to be positive with hematogenous spread.
Chronic osteomyelitis can destroy the bone, sometimes spread to the bloodstream, and increase mortality risk.
People at risk for osteomyelitis are those who have:
Some diseases that increase your risk may include those that lower the body’s ability to fight infections, includingautoimmune diseases. Smoking may also increase a person’s risk for osteomyelitis.
Older adults and very young children have the highest risk for osteomyelitis because their immunities are easily compromised.
Tests to diagnose osteomyelitis include blood tests, wound cultures, bone scans, and X-rays. Blood work will show signs of infection. Samples of drainage from the wound or affected bone may help determine the type of bacteria causing the infection. Because superficial drainage may be contaminated with bacteria not responsible for the bone infection, an actual biopsy of the infected bone is one of the more definitive ways to determine the causative organism (which will then guide antibiotic choice).
Plain X-rays and bone scans may also show signs of infection and reveal any damage to bones. If plain X-rays are non-revealing, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred next test, although computed tomography (CT) scans may also be ordered. Once diagnosed, treatment can begin.
Your healthcare provider may consider hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) if chronic osteomyelitis affects the spine, skull, or chest or does not respond to treatments. HBOT treatment involves putting the person in a chamber that increases pressure throughout the body and allows the lungs to absorb pure oxygen. As a result, more oxygen in the blood and tissues will help the body fight infection and heal quicker.
Research shows HBOT is safe and effective for managing chronic osteomyelitis. Rare complications of HBOT include eye, ear, tooth, sinus, or lung injury. It may lower your blood sugar and might cause a seizure, especially in someone who has a known seizure disorder.
Impaired growth in children may occur if osteomyelitis affects growth plates, especially at the end of the legs and arms.
Open sores from osteomyelitis that need to be drained may increase the risk for a type of skin cancer called squamous cell cancer. This type of skin cancer affects more thanone million peoplein the United States yearly and forms in the middle and outer layers of the skin.
People who have diseases that make it harder to fight off infection should talk to their practitioners about the best ways to reduce their infection risk.
Tips for Preventing OsteomyelitisWash hands oftenMake sure immunizations and vaccinations are up-to-date (including tetanus shots)Don’t smokeMake healthy lifestyle choices (diet and exercise)
Tips for Preventing Osteomyelitis
Wash hands oftenMake sure immunizations and vaccinations are up-to-date (including tetanus shots)Don’t smokeMake healthy lifestyle choices (diet and exercise)
A Word From Verywell
The outcome for people with acute osteomyelitis who receive prompt treatment is a positive one. People with chronic osteomyelitis may have worse outcomes if the condition is left untreated or worsens without appropriate treatment. It is a good idea to contact your healthcare provider if you think you have symptoms of osteomyelitis or if you have been diagnosed and your symptoms continue despite treatment. People with weakened immune systems should work with their healthcare providers to find the best ways to prevent the risk of infection.
Hand Washing and Preventing Infection
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ogawa M, Kitazawa T, Yoshino Y, Morita K, Ishikawa T, Ota Y.Osteomyelitis and pyomyositis due to Staphylococcus aureus in an osteomalacic adult with multiple fractures.J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2021;11(1):85-88. doi:10.1080/20009666.2020.1821472Jha Y, Chaudhary K.Diagnosis and treatment modalities for osteomyelitis.Cureus. 2022;14(10):e30713. doi:10.7759/cureus.30713Additional ReadingCarek PJ, Dickerson LM, Sackier JM.Diagnosis and Management of Osteomyelitis. AAFP Home.Chen CE, Shih ST, Fu TH, et al.Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of chronic refractory osteomyelitis: a preliminary report. Chang Gung Med J. 2003 Feb;26(2):114-21.Cleveland Clinic.Osteomyelitis.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Osteomyelitis.Medline Plus.Osteomyelitis.Olson ME, Horswill AR. Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis: Bad to the Bone. Cell Host Microbe. 2013 Jun 12; 13(6): 629–631. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2013.05.015Patel RA, Wilson, RF, Palmer RM. The effect of smoking on bone healing: A systematic review. Bone Joint Res. 2013 Jun; 2(6): 102–111. doi:10.1302/2046-3758.26.2000142Schmitt S. Merck Manuals.Osteomyelitis.Skin Cancer Foundation. Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ogawa M, Kitazawa T, Yoshino Y, Morita K, Ishikawa T, Ota Y.Osteomyelitis and pyomyositis due to Staphylococcus aureus in an osteomalacic adult with multiple fractures.J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2021;11(1):85-88. doi:10.1080/20009666.2020.1821472Jha Y, Chaudhary K.Diagnosis and treatment modalities for osteomyelitis.Cureus. 2022;14(10):e30713. doi:10.7759/cureus.30713Additional ReadingCarek PJ, Dickerson LM, Sackier JM.Diagnosis and Management of Osteomyelitis. AAFP Home.Chen CE, Shih ST, Fu TH, et al.Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of chronic refractory osteomyelitis: a preliminary report. Chang Gung Med J. 2003 Feb;26(2):114-21.Cleveland Clinic.Osteomyelitis.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Osteomyelitis.Medline Plus.Osteomyelitis.Olson ME, Horswill AR. Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis: Bad to the Bone. Cell Host Microbe. 2013 Jun 12; 13(6): 629–631. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2013.05.015Patel RA, Wilson, RF, Palmer RM. The effect of smoking on bone healing: A systematic review. Bone Joint Res. 2013 Jun; 2(6): 102–111. doi:10.1302/2046-3758.26.2000142Schmitt S. Merck Manuals.Osteomyelitis.Skin Cancer Foundation. Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ogawa M, Kitazawa T, Yoshino Y, Morita K, Ishikawa T, Ota Y.Osteomyelitis and pyomyositis due to Staphylococcus aureus in an osteomalacic adult with multiple fractures.J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2021;11(1):85-88. doi:10.1080/20009666.2020.1821472Jha Y, Chaudhary K.Diagnosis and treatment modalities for osteomyelitis.Cureus. 2022;14(10):e30713. doi:10.7759/cureus.30713
Ogawa M, Kitazawa T, Yoshino Y, Morita K, Ishikawa T, Ota Y.Osteomyelitis and pyomyositis due to Staphylococcus aureus in an osteomalacic adult with multiple fractures.J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2021;11(1):85-88. doi:10.1080/20009666.2020.1821472
Jha Y, Chaudhary K.Diagnosis and treatment modalities for osteomyelitis.Cureus. 2022;14(10):e30713. doi:10.7759/cureus.30713
Carek PJ, Dickerson LM, Sackier JM.Diagnosis and Management of Osteomyelitis. AAFP Home.Chen CE, Shih ST, Fu TH, et al.Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of chronic refractory osteomyelitis: a preliminary report. Chang Gung Med J. 2003 Feb;26(2):114-21.Cleveland Clinic.Osteomyelitis.Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Osteomyelitis.Medline Plus.Osteomyelitis.Olson ME, Horswill AR. Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis: Bad to the Bone. Cell Host Microbe. 2013 Jun 12; 13(6): 629–631. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2013.05.015Patel RA, Wilson, RF, Palmer RM. The effect of smoking on bone healing: A systematic review. Bone Joint Res. 2013 Jun; 2(6): 102–111. doi:10.1302/2046-3758.26.2000142Schmitt S. Merck Manuals.Osteomyelitis.Skin Cancer Foundation. Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Carek PJ, Dickerson LM, Sackier JM.Diagnosis and Management of Osteomyelitis. AAFP Home.
Chen CE, Shih ST, Fu TH, et al.Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of chronic refractory osteomyelitis: a preliminary report. Chang Gung Med J. 2003 Feb;26(2):114-21.
Cleveland Clinic.Osteomyelitis.
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Osteomyelitis.
Medline Plus.Osteomyelitis.
Olson ME, Horswill AR. Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis: Bad to the Bone. Cell Host Microbe. 2013 Jun 12; 13(6): 629–631. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2013.05.015
Patel RA, Wilson, RF, Palmer RM. The effect of smoking on bone healing: A systematic review. Bone Joint Res. 2013 Jun; 2(6): 102–111. doi:10.1302/2046-3758.26.2000142
Schmitt S. Merck Manuals.Osteomyelitis.
Skin Cancer Foundation. Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
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