Osteomyelitis is a type of infection-related health problem that occurs in the bones. This disease, also known as osteomyelitis or osteitis, can occur as a result of direct infection of the bone through trauma and injuries, or as a result of infection caused by factors that reach the bone through blood from a different part of the body. In certain cases, bone marrow inflammation, which can also be caused by the effects of chronic diseases, can cause symptoms such as severe pain and fever. Symptoms of osteomyelitis should be taken seriously, as it can progress and cause serious damage to the organ where the bone is located if left untreated.
What is Osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis, which means infection in the bone marrow, is rare It is a serious health problem. Osteoarthritis occurs in only two of every ten thousand people worldwide and can affect both children and adults. Bone marrow infections, which can be seen as acute or chronic, may develop due to various reasons.
Infection in any part of the body can reach the bones through the blood and cause infection here. In addition, it is possible to develop infection directly in the bone marrow due to reasons such as accidents, injuries, trauma and fractures, and surgical operations performed on bones and joints. The majority of osteomyelitis cases are caused by infection with Staphylococcus aureus, a staphylococcal type of bacteria. However, chronic bone infection, in particular, is not bacterial, but can be caused by various diseases such as immune system conditions or Camuratti-Engelman Syndrome.
However, some chronic diseases such as diabetes and sedentary lifestyles may also form the basis for osteomyelitis. It is known that most cases of osteomyelitis occur due to diabetes. In addition, the immune system is not strong enough or any reason that may adversely affect the immune system increases the risk of osteomyelitis. Apart from those listed, the risk factors for osteomyelitis include:
- Sickle cell disease
- Intravenous drug use
- HIV and AIDS
- Excessive alcohol use i
- Anemia (anemia)
- Receiving hemodialysis
- Using corticosteroid-containing drugs for a long time
- Rhomatoid arthritis
- Placement of hip and knee replacements
- Surgical treatments performed on the bones
- Radiotherapy
- Osteoporosis
Bone Symptoms of Inflammation (Osteomyelitis)
Acute osteomyelitis usually develops suddenly within a week or ten days. The symptoms seen in the patients are generally similar and the signs of inflammation in the bones include:
- Nausea
- Fever
- Chills, chills and sweating
- State of fatigue
- Pain in the bones
- Swelling and redness in the area of the affected bone
- Increase in temperature and tenderness at the site of the infection
- Reducing the mobility of the limb with the bone
Is Osteomyelitis Contagious?
Bacterial osteomyelitis, like some other infectious diseases, is a person-to-person contact. It is not a type of infection that can be transmitted through respiratory or respiratory tract. However, bacteria that reach the inside of the bone during any injury or surgical intervention can cause infection. For this reason, it is aimed to prevent infection by applying antibiotic treatment in traumas such as deep injuries, fractures and cracks and immediately after surgical operations.
Another way of transmission is that infections in different parts of the body reach into the bones through blood and cause infection here as well. In this regard, paying attention to hygiene in general and being treated by a doctor in case of signs of infection will prevent infections from spreading to the bones or different parts of the body. All these conditions are bacteria. applicable to wind infections. However, there is no bacterial infection in some osteomyelitis cases and the cause of such osteomyelitis cases is not known exactly.
Although it is thought that it may be an autoimmune condition seen with an over-response of the immune system, there is not enough evidence on this subject yet. There is no contamination in such non-bacterial acute or chronic osteomyelitis.
How to Treat Bone Inflammation (Osteomyelitis)?
In order to start osteomyelitis treatment, first of all, it should be verified whether osteomyelitis is the source of the problems seen in patients presenting with osteomyelitis symptoms. Osteopathic doctors are orthopedics and traumatology specialists and patients should apply to orthopedics and traumatology clinics for examination. For diagnosis, radiological imaging methods are used after physical examinations.
In addition to x-ray, magnetic resonance (MR) and bone scans, some blood tests should also be performed. In this way, other disease possibilities can be ruled out and a definitive diagnosis can be made if there is bone inflammation. Then, by performing a bone biopsy and/or culture antibiogram, the microbiological agent causing the infection can be determined precisely and the drugs to be included in the treatment process can be determined accordingly. Most cases of osteomyelitis, if not severe, can be treated with antibiotics and do not require surgical treatment.
Patients diagnosed with osteomyelitis are mostly treated with intravenous antibiotics for a few weeks. After this process, patients with sufficient progress are switched to oral pills. In more severe cases of advanced osteomyelitis, or in the case of chronic osteomyelitis, which is called chronic osteomyelitis, the infected tissue and bone may need to be removed. In this case, surgical operations known as osteomyelitis surgery are applied. For severe cases of advanced or chronic osteomyelitis, removal of inflamed tissue from the bones may be the only option.
If these operations are not performed or if the application is too late, if problems occur that may cause systemic problems and these problems cannot be prevented, the bone and the limb containing the bone, which is called amputation The complete removal process may become mandatory. For this reason, the necessary sensitivity should be shown in the prevention of osteomyelitis and attention should be paid to hygiene. Wounds on the body, even small ones, should be washed under water for a sufficient time and then wrapped with sterile bandages.
As especially deep cuts pose a higher risk for osteomyelitis, health institutions should be applied for dressing if possible and the wound should be disinfected. People with diabetes are one of the most at risk groups for osteomyelitis. For this reason, diabetic patients should pay maximum attention to foot hygiene, and should immediately apply to health institutions in case of any signs of infection.
The sooner the treatment is performed in acute osteomyelitis, the lower the probability that surgical operation will be required. At the same time, early diagnosis and treatment are very important in preventing the disease from becoming chronic. If you have symptoms such as bone and joint pain, swelling, redness and fever that may be associated with osteoarthritis, you can immediately consult a physician and undergo an examination. In case of a possible infection, you can prevent permanent damage to your bones as early treatment.
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