What is Osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis is a rare but quite severe inflammation or infection of the bone or bone marrow. In most cases, these infections reach the bones through the bloodstream, through a fracture or even after surgery. Many Osteomyelitis cases develop due to an open wound. As the back pain doctors at Spine Center of Texas can testify to, some of the most common symptoms include severe pain and muscle spasms.
Risk factors
As with many other diseases, there is a group of people who are more susceptible to Osteomyelitis. These people at a higher risk of getting this conditioning may have:
- A weak immune system can be a side effect of drug use, dialysis, chemotherapy, malnutrition, radiation treatment, having a urinary catheter, among other factors.
- Problems with the circulatory system, arising from sickle cell disease or peripheral arterial disease
- A deep wound or a fracture that has punctured the skin
- Bone repair or replacement surgery
- Patients with health chronic health issues including kidney failure and diabetes
- Smokers
Symptoms of Osteomyelitis
At times, the signs and symptoms of Osteomyelitis can mimic those of a common injury. In other cases, the symptoms of this condition might not manifest. This might make making a correct diagnosis tough, especially in the pelvis, hip, or spine.
The symptoms of Osteomyelitis are dependent on the type, and they include:
- Severe pain in the affected region, coupled with tenderness, redness, and swelling
- Fever, sweating, and chills
- Drainage or leaking from the open wound
- Irritability, fatigue, and lethargy
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs
- Change in the walking pattern such as limping
In severe cases of Osteomyelitis, patients might have to undergo surgery to remove the dead or infected bone. Visit the medical team at Spine Center of Texas for an appointment and to receive an accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate course of action.
