Bone Infections

Bone infections can cause severe complications when left untreated or not properly treated. At the Texas Infectious Disease Institute in Richardson, Texas, double-board-certified internal medicine and infectious disease specialist Serge Lartchenko, MD, and his experienced team specialize in treating bone infections. Their goal is to reduce the risk of amputation. Call the office today to schedule an appointment, or use the online booking tool.

What are bone infections?

A bone infection, also called osteomyelitis, is an infection in one of your bones. While bone infections are common, you must take them seriously when they develop.

The symptoms often appear slowly, so they often go unnoticed until a more severe infection develops. The earlier you seek medical attention, the easier bone infections are to treat, and the better your outcome.

If you experience consistent tenderness in a bone, contact the Texas Infectious Disease Institute right away.

What are the symptoms of bone infections?

The hallmark symptoms of bone infections include:

• Bone tenderness
• Pain
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Swelling
• Warmth
• Redness

In their early stages, bone infections might not cause any symptoms — or the symptoms might be mild and unnoticeable. Over time, however, bone infection symptoms can become severe when left untreated.

What can cause bone infections?

The common causes and risk factors for developing bone infections include:

• Pneumonia
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Puncture wounds
• Surgery
• Circulation disorders
• Poorly controlled diabetes
• Sickle cell disease
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Intravenous tubing
• Urinary catheters
• Dialysis machine tubing
• Cancer treatment
• Some medicines
• Illicit drug use
• Nonsterile needles

Complications linked to untreated bone infections include joint infections, impaired growth in children, bone death, skin cancer, and amputation.

How are bone infections diagnosed?

To diagnose bone infections, your specialist reviews your symptoms, discusses your medical history, and completes a physical exam. You might need bloodwork, diagnostic imaging (X-rays, an MRI, a CT scan), or a bone biopsy.

How are bone infections treated?

Effective treatments for bone infections require a quick, powerful antibiotic response since bone infections tend to spread quickly. Your provider offers drainage, foreign object removal, procedures that increase blood flow to the affected bone, and removal of dead tissues (debridement).

The Texas Infectious Disease Institute uses the most cutting-edge, up-to-date treatments to eliminate infections and speed healing.

You might need antibiotics that require several weeks or even months of treatment in a comfortable infusion suite. Your provider monitors you throughout treatment to make sure it’s effective and changes your treatment plan when needed.

Schedule an appointment today by phone or online at the Texas Infectious Disease Institute at the first sign of bone infections.