Osteomyelitis: Definition and Types

Definition and Causes

• Osteomyelitis is a type of infection that affects the bone and bone marrow
• Caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that enter the bone through:
  • Open wounds or fractures
  • Bloodstream (hematogenous spread)
  • Contiguous spread from adjacent tissues
  • Surgical procedures

Types of Osteomyelitis

• Acute osteomyelitis: Rapid onset, usually within 2 weeks
• Chronic osteomyelitis: Long-standing infection, often with persistent symptoms
• Subacute osteomyelitis: Gradual onset, between acute and chronic forms

Pathophysiology

• Infection causes inflammation and bone destruction
• Bone tissue is damaged due to:
  • Direct bacterial or fungal invasion
  • Inflammatory response
  • Ischemia (reduced blood flow)
• Can lead to:
  • Bone necrosis
  • Sequestration (dead bone tissue)
  • Involucrum (new bone growth around infected area)

Symptoms

• Pain: Often severe, localized, and worsening over time
• Swelling: Around the affected area
• Redness: Warmth and erythema
• Fever
• Drainage: Pus or discharge from the wound
• Limited mobility: Due to pain and stiffness

Diagnosis

• Medical history: Recent trauma, surgery, or underlying medical conditions
• Physical examination: Pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and limited mobility
• Imaging studies: X-rays, CT, MRI, or bone scans to assess bone damage and inflammation
• Lab tests: Blood cultures, complete blood count (CBC), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to identify infection and inflammation

Treatment

• Antibiotics: Targeted against the causative organism
• Surgical debridement: Removal of infected tissue and bone
• Drainage: Of abscesses or infected areas
• Pain management: Analgesics and immobilization
• Rehabilitation: Restoration of function and mobility

Definition and Causes

• Osteomyelitis is a type of bone infection caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
• Infection can enter the bone through open wounds, fractures, bloodstream, contiguous spread from adjacent tissues, or surgical procedures.

Types of Osteomyelitis

• Acute osteomyelitis: Rapid onset, usually within 2 weeks.
• Chronic osteomyelitis: Long-standing infection, often with persistent symptoms.
• Subacute osteomyelitis: Gradual onset, between acute and chronic forms.

Pathophysiology

• Infection causes inflammation and bone destruction due to direct bacterial or fungal invasion, inflammatory response, and ischemia.
• Bone tissue damage leads to bone necrosis, sequestration, and involucrum.

Symptoms

• Severe, localized, and worsening pain.
• Swelling around the affected area.
• Redness, warmth, and erythema.
• Fever.
• Pus or discharge from the wound.
• Limited mobility due to pain and stiffness.

Diagnosis

• Medical history of recent trauma, surgery, or underlying medical conditions.
• Physical examination reveals pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and limited mobility.
• Imaging studies (X-rays, CT, MRI, or bone scans) assess bone damage and inflammation.
• Lab tests (blood cultures, CBC, and ESR) identify infection and inflammation.

Treatment

• Antibiotics targeted against the causative organism.
• Surgical debridement removes infected tissue and bone.
• Drainage of abscesses or infected areas.
• Pain management with analgesics and immobilization.
• Rehabilitation for restoration of function and mobility.

Learn about osteomyelitis, a bone infection caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses, and its types, including acute and chronic osteomyelitis.