Osteomyelitis

Question 1

What is osteomyelitis?

Answer 1

• It is an infection that usually causes pain in the long bones in the legs and it is caused by a bacteria (Staphlococcus)

Question 2

How do you diagnose osteomyelitis?

Answer 2

• A doctor may feel around the affected bone for any tenderness, swelling or warmth
• A doctor may order some tests to be carried out to diagnose and determine what germ is causing the infection such as a blood test (haematology), imaging test (x-ray, MRI, CT), bone biopsy (spectrophotometry)

Question 3

What are the symptoms of osteomyelitis?

Answer 3

• Pain
• Swelling
• Redness and warm sensation over an area of bone
• Very high temperature
• Feel generally unwell

Question 4

What are the causes of osteomyelitis?

Answer 4

• Recently broken bone
• Been injured or have a wound
• Artificial hip or screw in bone
• Recently had any surgery on a bone
• Weakened immune system
• Diabetes
• Had osteomyelitis before