What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Bone Infection?

Overview

Bone infection is called osteomyelitis. It is a condition in which there is inflammation and swelling in the tissues of the bone. It is an infection caused by a strain of bacteria known as staphylococcus. These bacteria generally live on the surface of the skin. The infection can reach the bone by spreading from nearby tissues, through the bloodstream, and through the injury to the bone itself. It can also be caused after the surgery. Bone infection can affect both men and women. The bone infection is very painful, and if not treated on time, this can also lead to the permanent loss of the bone. Antibiotic treatment is effective in most cases. If there is some abscess deposition, the person may need surgery to drain the abscesses and remove the damaged bone from the affected area. Patients may experience several signs and symptoms of bone infection.

Here Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Bone Infection

The signs of bone infection (osteomyelitis) may differ depending on the type and cause of the infection. Some people may not develop any symptoms even if they are suffering from a chronic bone infection.

• Pain at the site of infection: Pain is caused by a protective action of the body. It is caused when the nerves sense any kind of tissue damage around them.


• Redness: The skin around the site of infection is red in most cases. It is because the blood flow near the site of damage and infection is increased to counter the infection and supply disease-fighting cells at the site.


• Warmth: It is caused by the response of the inflammation of the tissue. Because of the inflammation, there is an increased flow of blood at the site that causes redness and local warmth.


• Swelling: Due to inflammatory reflex and the increased blood flow at the site of infection, the site gets warm and red. Some of the chemicals released may cause some fluid to leak out into the nearby tissues which may cause swelling at the site.


• Drainage: Drainage is caused in chronic cases. It is observed when a passage is formed between the infected bone and the uppermost layer of the skin.


• Lethargy: Lethargy is felt when the condition of bone infection is carried out for a long time. It is felt because most energy of the body is directed towards fighting off the infection.


• Loss of appetite: There is a decrease in appetite in osteomyelitis. It is caused due to a long-term bacterial infection in the body.


• Fever: Fever is a defense mechanism of the body. The body increases its temperature to counter the infection-causing bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens.


• Chills and sweating: Chills and sweating may occur as a reflex action of the fever. The body sweats out automatically to decrease the temperature raised due to fever.


• Pain in the lower back: Back pain can also be caused in the case of vertebral osteomyelitis. This infection is caused in vertebrae but can also spread to nearby regions.


• Difficulty in moving the joints: The person may also feel difficult to move the joints near the infected region. It is generally caused due to the loss of the bone caused by the bacterial infection.


• Difficulty in walking: As the bones and the joints are degraded in this infection, the person may feel difficult to walk. Another reason behind the difficulty in walking may be due to inability to bear the weight of the body on the infected leg bone. It can be experienced in the case of osteomyelitis in your leg.

Conclusion

Bone infection is usually a painful condition in which the bone is infected by bacteria or other pathogens. It can be characterized by redness and swelling at the site of infection, fever, fatigue, and a decrease in joint motions. Patients should not ignore these signs and symptoms of bone infection. It must be treated on time; otherwise, this may lead to the permanent loss of bone due to infection.