What Is Osteomyelitis?
5. Complications
If there is an infection in a bone, it can sometimes spread to a nearby joint. This can cause septic arthritis, a serious and painful condition. When osteomyelitis occurs in children, it can impair normal growth. Osteomyelitis is sometimes associated with an open, draining sore in the skin. The tissue surrounding this area is more vulnerable to skin cancer of the squamous cells.
One of the most serious complications is osteonecrosis, or bone death. This can occur when the infection impedes circulation within the bone, cutting off the blood supply to a certain area. Once osteonecrosis has set in, the only treatment option available is to remove the area of dead bone tissue.
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