What causes bone infection?
You are more at risk of getting an infection in a bone if you have:
- Recently broken (fractured) a bone
- Been injured or have a wound
- Have an artificial hip, or a screw in a bone
- Have recently had any surgery on a bone
- A weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or you have another serious illness
- Had a bone infection in the past
- Diabetes, especially if you also have a foot ulcer
- Sometimes an infection in the blood affects the bone or joints
What are the symptoms of a bone infection?
- Pain, swelling, redness and a warm sensation over the affected area
- A very high temperature (or you feel hot and shivery) and feel generally unwell
- If you have had a bone infection before and you think symptoms have come back
In children, they may not want to use an arm or leg and may seem irritable. Young children don’t always get a high temperature with osteomyelitis.
