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Osteomyelitis
What is Osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis (os-teo-my-eli-tis) is an acute or chronic infection of the bone and bone marrow caused due to a pyogenic microorganism resulting into severe pain, swelling and tenderness, high fever and general illness. It can also affect the organs such as cortex, cancellous tissue, and periosteum. Osteomyelitis can be more commonly seen in men than in women and at any age, but it is most common in children and people older than 50.
Causes of Osteomyelitis
- It mainly caused by the bacterium called staphylococcus aureus and also by other pathogens such as escherichia coli, and streptococci.
- Systemic mycotic, or fungal infections such as blastomyces dermatitidis and coccidioides immitis.
- Open injury to the bone
- Tuberculosis
- Repeated medication injections, surgical method, or use of a prosthetic device.
- Diabetes
- Weakened immune system such as in the people suffering from HIV, sickle cell disease, and also the patients under the kidney dialysis, hemodialysis, chemotherapy, or steroids.
- Removal of spleen
Symptoms of Osteomyelitis
- Pain and tenderness in the affected area
- Swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected area
- Swelling of ankles, feet, and legs
- Fever in the range of 102 F to 104 F
- Chills
- Fatigue
- General ill feeling
- Severe back and abdominal pain
- Drainage of pus through the skin
- Excessive sweating
Osteomyelitis Treatment
- Intravenous or oral antibiotics are primary treatments.
- Analgesics and bracing may be used to control pain.
- Needle aspiration - using a needle to remove a bacteria sample from the bone to identify the responsible bacteria.
- Surgical method such as draining the infected area, removal of damaged bone and tissue, restorage of blood flow to the bone, bone graft, and removal some foreign objects such as surgical plates or screws placed during a previous surgery.
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