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Osteomyelitis Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, February 2008.

Answers to questions about osteomyelitis

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email. This section will expand over time.

 

Will anything be done to stop me getting an infection during my hip replacement operation?

Yes. Doctors use a number of methods to try and reduce the risk of you getting an infection.

Explanation

You will probably be given treatment with a short course of antibiotics before your surgery. You will also have the area cleaned before the operation. Your surgery may take place in an operating theatre with a special air-filtering system, to keep the room properly ventilated.

All these measures are to try to stop any infection developing while you are in surgery.

Please note, doctors can never completely get rid of the risk of you getting an infection after surgery. However the number of people developing infections after surgery has dropped significantly since doctors started using these methods.

Further information

Sources

  • Lew DP, Waldvogel FA. Osteomyelitis. Lancet 2004; 364:369-379.
  • A new hip joint. Arthritis Research Campaign. www.arc.org.uk, accessed 28 November 2007.
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My father has developed osteomyelitis after having surgery for a broken leg. Will he need an amputation?

Nowadays, amputations are very rarely needed.

Explanation

In the past, osteomyelitis was a major cause of disease, disability and even death. However, over the last 50 years, osteomyelitis has become a much less serious disease, thanks to improvements in surgical techniques and the range of antibiotic medicines now available.

The important thing is that your father gets treated as quickly as possible. If he gets the right treatment straight away - with surgery and/or antibiotics, he has a good chance of making a full recovery from his infection, without the need for amputation.

Sources

  • Dandy DJ, Edwards DJ. Essential orthopaedics and trauma. 3rd ed. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1998.
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I have diabetes. Why am I at a greater risk of osteomyelitis?

If you have diabetes, you are at a greater risk of getting infections in your feet. These infections can then spread to your bones.

Explanation

Diabetes can cause damage to the nerves, muscles, sweat glands and blood vessels in your feet and legs. This is particularly true if your diabetes isn't controlled very well. The reduced blood supply and loss of feeling in your feet can make them more vulnerable to injury and infection. If you develop an infection on the skin on your feet, it can then spread to the bones of your feet. This is osteomyelitis.

If you have diabetes, you should take particular care of your feet. This includes washing and drying your feet carefully every day, making sure your shoes and socks aren't too tight, and making sure you always wear shoes or slippers, even when you are at home. This is to prevent doing any damage to your feet.

You should also watch out for any signs of infection in your feet. These include sores, cuts that don't heal or weep pus, puffiness and swelling.

Further information

Sources

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Can I stop taking the antibiotics I was given for osteomyelitis if I'm feeling better?

No, it's important to finish your course of antibiotics.

Explanation

When you take antibiotics for any type of infection, it's very important that you complete the entire course that has been prescribed to you. If you don't completely finish your treatment, some of the bacteria may not yet have been destroyed. The few bacteria that have survived the longest will then multiply and cause a new infection, which may be more resistant to treatment (harder to treat).

Sources

  • The British Medical Association. New guide to medicines & drugs. 6th ed. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2004.
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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Mr Roger Tillman, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, and by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: February 2008.

 

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