Diagnosis for Osteomyelitis
Bone biopsy
This is the gold standard for osteomyelitis diagnosis since it can likewise disclose what type of bacteria has infected the bone. This allows the physicians to prescribe an antibiotic that works well for that kind of infection. An open biopsy needs anesthesia as well as surgery in order to enter the bone. There are some situations where the surgeon inserts a very long needle thru the skin into the bone in order to take a biopsy. This needle biopsy needs local anesthetics to numb the place where the needle is introduced.

Blood tests
A blood test can expose any raised levels of white blood cells and numerous factors that can be an indication that the body is battling some type of infection. If osteomyelitis is caused by an infection in the blood, these tests can reveal what bacteria is the cause. There is no blood test that can tell the physician if an individual has osteomyelitis or not. But, blood tests can offer information so the physician can decide what more tests or procedures are needed.

Imaging tests
-- X-rays, These may show if there is any damage to the bone. But, damage cannot always be noticeable until osteomyelitis has existed for numerous weeks. It may be essential for images which are more detailed to show recent osteomyelitis.

-- Computerized tomography or CT scan – This associates X-ray images from diverse angles, generating a comprehensive cross-sectional view of a person’s internal structures.

-- Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI – This uses radio waves as well as a strong magnetic arena to yield very comprehensive pictures of bones and the soft tissues adjacent to them.