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Osteomyelitis
BACTERIAL BONE OR SPINE INFECTION
Osteomyelitis is a painful bone infection that needs to be treated early to avoid complications
About osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis can affect anyone, it is more common after a recent fracture, especially if you needed pins to stabilise your bone, if you have an artificial hip, or if you've had surgery or osteomyelitis before.
A severely weakened immune system, diabetes or close contact with tuberculosis can also make it more likely.
Need to know
If you have osteomyelitis, you are likely to experience pain, swelling, redness or a warm feeling around an area of bone. You usually feel it in the long bones of your legs (femur). This may be combined with a high temperature or fever, although less so in young children.You should be especially aware of these symptoms if you've had osteomyelitis before.
When diagnosing osteomyelitis, you'll probably have a blood test done first. Your consultant or GP may then also recommend a scan, or a biopsy when they'll take a small amount fluid from the bone to test it.
If you have osteomyelitis, your consultant will prescribe you antibiotics, usually for at least six weeks. If the infection is severe, you may have to stay in hospital to have antibiotics intravenously, which is when they are given directly into your vein. In some cases, you may need surgery. This could be to remove bone damaged by the infection, to prevent possible deformity or to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
Our Osteomyelitis locations
Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road W1T 7HA London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street W1G 6PU London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.