Whole body

What It Is

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. Infections can reach the bone by travelling through the bloodstream or spreading from nearby tissue. An infection can also begin in the bone itself if an injury or an operation exposes the bone to germs (MedlinePlus, 2026). In children, the condition most commonly affects the long bones of the arms and legs, while adults are more likely to develop it in the feet, spine and pelvis (MedlinePlus, 2026; Cleveland Clinic, 2024). For people with diabetes, osteomyelitis might develop in the feet if there are foot ulcers present (NHS, 2023).

At one time the condition was considered incurable, but today it can be treated successfully. It is treated with antibiotics, and if it is treated early it often clears up completely (NHS, 2023). Some people also need surgery, for example to drain a build-up of pus or to remove damaged bone (NHS, 2023).

The literal translation of osteomyelitis is bone marrow inflammation (Greek: osteo = bone, myelo = marrow, -itis = inflammation).

Acute osteomyelitis that spreads through the blood mostly occurs in children, and the most common germ is a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus (McNeil, 2020). Anyone can develop osteomyelitis, but you are more at risk if you have diabetes (especially with a foot ulcer), a wound from an injury, or a weakened immune system, for example because of chemotherapy or a condition such as HIV (NHS, 2023). Children may also be more likely to get it after a respiratory infection or chickenpox (NHS, 2023).

Infection can also follow surgery, such as a joint replacement (MedlinePlus, 2026). People with poorly controlled diabetes can lose feeling in their feet and may not notice small cuts, which can develop into an infection that spreads to the bone (NHS, 2023).

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Symptoms

How It Feels

Osteomyelitis Symptoms

Osteomyelitis usually causes severe pain, most often in the legs. Other symptoms can include swelling, warmth and redness over the affected area, a limp (more common in children), and a very high temperature, chills or shivering and feeling generally unwell (NHS, 2023). Young children do not always get a high temperature; they may just not want to use an arm or leg and seem irritable (NHS, 2023).

If you have pain, swelling, redness and warmth over a bone, especially with a high temperature, or you think osteomyelitis has come back, ask for an urgent appointment with your family doctor or nurse practitioner straight away (NHS, 2023). With early treatment the infection often clears completely, but if it is not treated quickly it can cause serious long-term problems, including permanent damage to the bone (NHS, 2023).

Your family doctor or nurse practitioner will examine the area and may arrange blood tests, which can include checks for signs of infection and inflammation such as CRP or ESR (McNeil, 2020). You might also need an X-ray, CT scan or MRI scan, or a biopsy, where a small sample is taken from the bone and tested (NHS, 2023).

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

Treatments your doctor may discuss

Antibiotics: the main treatment, usually a long course. A biopsy can show which germ is causing the infection so the right antibiotic can be chosen. Antibiotics may be given through a drip in hospital or as tablets at home, and it is important to finish the course even if you feel better (NHS, 2023; MedlinePlus, 2026).
Surgery: depending on how severe the infection is, an operation may be needed to drain pus, remove dead or damaged bone and tissue, remove foreign objects such as metalwork, or restore blood flow to the bone. Rarely, amputation of the limb is needed (NHS, 2023; MedlinePlus, 2026; Cleveland Clinic, 2024).
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: breathing oxygen in a pressurised chamber, which is sometimes used as an extra treatment for long-standing (chronic) infections that are hard to treat (Arshad et al., 2021).

Once you've been treated and cleared by your medical team, I can help with your recovery.

Tips

If you are prone to infections, ask your doctor about ways to prevent them.
Reducing your chance of getting an infection will reduce your chance of developing this condition.
Take care to avoid scrapes and cuts, which give germs an easy route into your body.
If you do get a scrape or cut, clean it quickly and cover it with a dressing.
If you have any wounds, check them often for signs of infection.
If you have diabetes, it is very important to look after your feet and check them for cuts you may not feel (NHS, 2023).

Sources

References

NHS (2023) Osteomyelitis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteomyelitis/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
MedlinePlus / National Library of Medicine (2026) Osteomyelitis. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000437.htm (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Cleveland Clinic (2024) Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/osteomyelitis-bone-infection (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
McNeil, J.C. (2020) 'Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis in Children: Clinical Presentation and Management', Infection and Drug Resistance, 13, pp. 4459–4473. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S257517
Arshad, Z. et al. (2021) 'Management of chronic osteomyelitis of the femur and tibia: a scoping review', EFORT Open Reviews, 6(9), pp. 704–715. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200136

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooOsteomyelitis

What It Is

How It Feels

Osteomyelitis Symptoms

Self-Care & Treatment

Treatments your doctor may discuss

Tips

References

Related Conditions

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Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooOsteomyelitis

What It Is

How It Feels

Osteomyelitis Symptoms

Self-Care & Treatment

Treatments your doctor may discuss

Tips

References

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