Osteomyelitis

Bone infection can be caused by bacteria (more common) or fungi (less common).
Infection may spread to a bone from infected skin, muscles, or tendons next to the bone, as in osteomyelitis that occurs under a chronic skin ulcer (sore).

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Osteomyelitis is an acute or chronic bone infection.
Causes
• Bone infection can be caused by bacteria (more common) or fungi (less common).
• Infection may spread to a bone from infected skin, muscles, or tendons next to the bone, as in osteomyelitis that occurs under a chronic skin ulcer (sore).
• The infection that causes osteomyelitis can also start in another part of the body and spread to the bone through the blood.
• A current or past injury may have made the affected bone more likely to develop the infection. A bone infection can also start after bone surgery, especially if the surgery is done after an injury or if metal rods or plates are placed in the bone.
• In children, the long bones are usually affected. In adults, the feet, spine bones (vertebrae), and the hips (pelvis) are most commonly affected. Risk factors are:
• Diabetes
• Hemodialysis
• Injected drug use
• Poor blood supply
• Recent trauma
• People who have had their spleen removed are also at higher risk for osteomyelitis.