Difference Between Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone that can include the periosteum, medullary cavity, and cortical bone. Septic arthritis is an infection of surface of the cartilage that lines the joint and the synovial fluid that lubricates the joint.

1. Can osteomyelitis lead to sepsis?
2. What are the two types of osteomyelitis?
3. How do you rule out septic arthritis?
4. What is the difference between osteitis and osteomyelitis?
5. What is the prognosis of osteomyelitis?
6. How quickly does osteomyelitis spread?
7. What are common local signs of osteomyelitis?
8. How long does osteomyelitis take to heal?
9. What is the best treatment for osteomyelitis?
10. What does a joint infection feel like?
11. How long does septic arthritis last?
12. Can septic arthritis go away on its own?

Can osteomyelitis lead to sepsis?

An infection of the bone, called osteomyelitis, could lead to sepsis. In people who are hospitalized, bacteria may enter through IV lines, surgical wounds, urinary catheters, and bed sores.

What are the two types of osteomyelitis?

Traditionally, osteomyelitis is a bone infection that has been classified into three categories: (1) a bone infection that has spread through the blood stream (Hematogenous osteomyelitis) (2) osteomyelitis caused by bacteria that gain access to bone directly from an adjacent focus of infection (seen with trauma or ...

How do you rule out septic arthritis?

The following tests typically help diagnose septic arthritis:

1. Joint fluid analysis. Infections can alter the color, consistency, volume and makeup of the fluid within your joints. ...
2. Blood tests. These can determine if there are signs of infection in your blood. ...
3. Imaging tests.

What is the difference between osteitis and osteomyelitis?

The main difference between osteitis and osteomyelitis is the way that the infection affects the bone. There are other staging systems, probably the best known being the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Clinical Staging System for Adult Osteomyelitis introduced by Cierny III et al.

What is the prognosis of osteomyelitis?

Prognosis. When treatment is received, the outcome for acute osteomyelitis is usually good. The outlook is worse for chronic (long-term) osteomyelitis, even with surgery. Amputation may be needed, especially in diabetics or other patients with poor blood circulation.

How quickly does osteomyelitis spread?

Acute osteomyelitis develops rapidly over a period of seven to 10 days.

What are common local signs of osteomyelitis?

Signs and symptoms of osteomyelitis include:

• Fever.
• Swelling, warmth and redness over the area of the infection.
• Pain in the area of the infection.
• Fatigue.

How long does osteomyelitis take to heal?

If you have a severe infection, the course may last up to 12 weeks. It's important to finish a course of antibiotics even if you start to feel better. If the infection is treated quickly (within 3 to 5 days of it starting), it often clears up completely.

What is the best treatment for osteomyelitis?

The most common treatments for osteomyelitis are surgery to remove portions of bone that are infected or dead, followed by intravenous antibiotics given in the hospital.
...
Surgery

• Drain the infected area. ...
• Remove diseased bone and tissue. ...
• Restore blood flow to the bone. ...
• Remove any foreign objects. ...
• Amputate the limb.

What does a joint infection feel like?

Symptoms may include fever, chills, redness at the site of infection, pain or tenderness over the affected bone, and difficulty using the affected limb. They may, for instance, have trouble walking due to severe pain in the legs.

How long does septic arthritis last?

In most cases, symptoms will start to improve after a 1–2 full days of treatment. A full recovery can take several weeks, but the infection should disappear entirely. The best treatment for infectious arthritis depends on the cause.

Can septic arthritis go away on its own?

Antibiotics often stop the infection in a few days, but in some cases, they must be given over several months. Infectious arthritis caused by a virus usually goes away on its own with no specific treatment and fungal infections are treated with antifungal medication.