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Osteomyelitis
DefinitionOsteomyelitis is an acute or chronic bone infection, usually caused by bacteria.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The infection that causes osteomyelitis often is in another part of the body and spreads to the bone via the blood. Affected bone may have been predisposed to infection because of recent trauma.
In children, the long bones are usually affected. In adults, the vertebrae and the pelvis are most commonly affected. Bone infection can be caused by bacteria or by fungus. When the bone is infected, pus is produced within the bone, which may result in an abscess. The abscess then deprives the bone of its blood supply.
Chronic osteomyelitis results when bone tissue dies as a result of the lost blood supply. Chronic infection can persist intermittently for years.
Risk factors are recent trauma, diabetes, hemodialysis, and intravenous drug abuse. People who have had their spleen removed are also at higher risk for osteomyelitis.
The incidence of osteomyelitis is 2 in 10,000 people.
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Definition Osteomyelitis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors Osteomyelitis Symptoms & Signs Osteomyelitis Prevention Osteomyelitis Diagnosis & Tests Osteomyelitis Treatment Osteomyelitis Prognosis Osteomyelitis Complications Calling Your Health Care Provider
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Abscess Diabetes
Tests & Exams
ALP ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) Isoenzyme Blood Culture Bone Lesion Biopsy Bone Scan Bone X-Ray CBC Dialysis ESR Extremity X-Ray Hand X-Ray Joint X-Ray WBC Count
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Bone Graft
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Acute Aspiration Back Pain - Low Bone Pain or Tenderness Chronic Drug Abuse Fever Foot, Leg, and Ankle Swelling Intravenous Long Bones Malaise Nausea and Vomiting Physical Examination Prosthesis Rashes Sweating - Excessive Swelling
Review Date : 7/31/2002
Reviewed By : Christopher Parsons, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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