Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection): Types, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Types

• Acute osteomyelitis: Rapid onset (days–weeks). Common in children (long bones: femur, tibia). In adults, often vertebral, pelvic, or pedal.
• Chronic osteomyelitis: Persists months–years. Risk factors: inadequate acute treatment, trauma, diabetes, immunodeficiency, sickle cell disease, vascular insufficiency, hardware implantation.

Symptoms

• Localized bone pain (worse with movement/weight-bearing)
• Swelling, warmth, erythema over affected area
• Fever, chills (more common in acute)
• Fatigue, weight loss (chronic)
• Joint pain if near articulation
• Sinus tract drainage (chronic)
• Limited range of motion

Diagnosis

Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT, bone scan), blood cultures, bone biopsy for culture/histology.

Treatment

• Antibiotics: IV initially (4–6 weeks), then oral; targeted by culture.
• Surgery: Debridement, sequestrectomy, dead space management, hardware removal if infected.
• Adjuvant: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (selected cases), nutritional optimization, glycemic control.

Prognosis

Acute: Excellent with early treatment. Chronic: Requires prolonged multidisciplinary care; recurrence risk remains.