Osteomyelitis is a bone infection caused by various bacteria and can occur in both children and adults. When bone gets infected, there is continuous pain, fever and it is painful to move the extremity. Bone infections are acquired from an infection elsewhere in the body, trauma or spread from adjacent infected tissues. The diagnosis of bone infection requires a bone scan, blood cultures and x rays. Sometimes the bone marrow is aspirated to discover the specific organism.
Osteomyelitis is a serious infection and carries a high complication rate if not treated promptly. If the infection is diagnosed rapidly, the prognosis is good. However chronic Osteomyelitis can take years to heal and can keep on recurring. Individuals at risk for Osteomyelitis include those who have artificial joints or metal components in the joint.
