Osteomyelitis: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Osteomyelitis is a condition that causes inflammation of bone due to infection. Infection in a bone begins when an injury exposes to the bone to germs. In adults, it is generally in the spine (vertebrae). The long bones in the arms and legs of children get affected by osteomyelitis. Diabetic people may develop it in their feet if they have foot ulcers. Pain, swelling, warmth and redness over the area of infection as well as irritability and lethargy are some signs one should look out for. Some cases can be healed by medications. In other cases, the doctor may perform a surgery to cure your condition.

The doctor will firstly test your blood to check the elevated level of white blood cells and other factors indicating the reason for infection. You will have to undergo x ray and computerized tomography (CT) scans to find out the exact condition of your bone from different angles. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another test that uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce exceptionally good images of bones and the tissues that surround them. Depending on the severity of your condition, your surgery may include different procedures. The doctor may open the area around your infected bone to drain any pus or fluid that is accumulated in response to your infection. Debridement is a procedure through which the doctor will remove as much of the diseased bone as possible. Surrounding tissues that show signs of infection are also removed along with the diseased bone. In extreme cases, the doctors may have to amputate the limb to stop the infection from spreading to the rest of the body.

If you have had an injury recently and experience worsening pain in the bone along with fever; you must consult a doctor.

Minor bone pains may go away naturally in a few days.

The antibiotics prescribed to relieve pain may result in temporary redness, itchiness or irritation in skin. There is nothing to be concerned about as the effects wear off soon.

You must follow the instructions provided by your doctor. Avoid activities that cause strain in the area of infection. Make sure that you are consuming a healthy and nutritious diet so that your body is able to make up for the lethargy caused by the bone infection.

It may take about four to six weeks to recover depending on the severity of your condition.

The cost of x ray and computerized tomography (CT) scans may be between ₹2500 - ₹5000. The cost of surgery varies according to the severity of your condition and the number of procedures required.

The results of the treatment are mostly permanent.

There are no alternatives to this treatment.