What is osteomyelitis? What are the treatment options for osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone that is commonly caused by bacteria. If osteomyelitis is diagnosed at an early stage, it can be treated with injection of antibiotics directly into the bloodstream. At advanced stages of the disease, surgical removal of dead tissue and bone is performed.
The infection gets transmitted from some other part of the body to the bone through the blood circulation. It can also spread through infected skin or tissues surrounding the bone. Factors such as diabetes, weakened immune system caused by HIV infection, limb prosthesis, frequent injections into the bone, and bone surgery increase the risk for osteomyelitis. The patient may have pain, swelling, and redness in the affected region associated with high fever.
In severe conditions, amputation of the limb may be required to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the body. The treatment options for osteomyelitis include:
- Antibiotics: Intravenous antibiotics are prescribed if osteomyelitis is caused by bacteria.
- Analgesics: Pain relieving medications will be prescribed to decrease pain.
- Referral to other specialists: In severe cases, where surgeries and amputation are required, the patient will be referred to an orthopedic surgeon.
Source: https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/
Meet Our Physicians
Related Questions About Infectious Disease
Please bring to your appointment all previous medical records including imaging tests and pathology reports.
See full answerInfectious diseases are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, virus, parasites, and some kinds of fungi.
See full answerOsteomyelitis is an infection of the bone that is commonly caused by bacteria. If osteomyelitis is diagnosed at an early stage, it can be treated with injection of antibiotics directly into the bloodstream. At advanced stages of the disease, surgical removal of dead tissue and bone is performed.
See full answerMeningitis is a condition in which the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed.
See full answerEndocarditis is a severe form of infection of the heart lining, and is commonly caused by bacteria. Effective treatment of endocarditis requires injection of intravenous antibiotics on a long-term basis.
See full answerFungal infections may cause minor skin rashes, lung infection (aspergillosis) and even serious conditions such as meningitis. The majority of the fungal infections are treated with short-term oral medications and direct application of antifungal creams. Long-term oral medications may be advised if the fungal infection spreads into the bloodstream.
See full answerYes, getting immunized is one of the best methods to reduce the risk of certain infectious diseases.
See full answerAIDS is treated with a series of medications such as NNRTIs, NRTIs, Potease Inhibitors, integrase inhibitors and entry or fusion inhibitors.
See full answer
