Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. It can happen in any bone in the body, but it most often affects the long bones (leg and arm), the spine, and foot bones. You can have a bacterial infection (usually from Staphylococcus) or, more rarely, a fungal infection.

Osteomyelitis is rare in the world. It tends to affect more men than women, and is most often seen in children and people over 50. Bone can get infected when bacteria travels through the bloodstream from another spot in your body, or the bone itself can become infected directly. Osteomyelitis can be acute, meaning symptoms last a few months, or chronic, meaning symptoms last a long time. How the disease is treated depends on which type it is. Osteomyelitis is a serious condition that needs medical treatment right away.

Because early treatment is critical, antibiotic therapy is usually started immediately, before test results are known. The IV therapy continues for four to six weeks and may be followed with oral treatment for several months. Wound care may include debridement and frequent dressing changes. Surgery may be required to obtain a culture specimen and to relieve pressure in the bone, which provides pain relief and prevents pressure necrosis of additional bone (surgical decompression). 

If a prosthetic implant or hardware is suspected to be the cause, the implants will be removed, and the infection treated before reinsertion. In chronic osteomyelitis, surgical removal of the sequestra and surrounding tissue is followed with antibiotic therapy. In severe cases, amputation may be necessary. Dehydration, protein deficiency and anemia caused by draining wounds require nutritional supplementation. Individual education is very important to insure compliance with long-term therapy. Home care services are necessary for IV medication administration, wound care and education. Continue to read TCM Treatment Evaluation for Osteonecrosis.