Osteomyelitis is an acute (develops suddenly) or
chronic (long term) infection of the bone and bone
marrow(the soft substance in the bone cavity where the
blood cells are produced). Bone infection can be caused
by bacteria, or more rarely by fungus. It is usually
caused by the bacteria
staphylococcus.
Osteomyelitis can occur at any
age.
Osteomyelitis can happen as a result of
an infection in another part of the body. The infection
may spread to the bone in the bloodstream. This is often
the cause of osteomyelitis in
children.
The
long bones in the legs are those that are normally
affected (the femur, tibia and fibula) in children . In
adults, the vertebrae and the pelvis may be
affected.
Osteomyelitis can also occur
following an injury; bacteria can spread to the bone
through a deep cut in the skin, if
infected.
If
you have diabetes, osteomyelitis may occur in the spine
and in bones of the feet.
When the bone is infected, pus is
produced within the bone. If left untreated, the
infection can develop into an abscess. The abscess then
deprives the bone of its blood supply and the infected
bone may be difficult to
treat.
