Osteomyelitis Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Bone pain
Fever or chills
Tenderness, warmth, swelling, or redness of the skin or joint
Drainage of pus
Nausea
Fatigue or irritability
Restricted movement of the area
A sore over bone that does not heal

Skin Infection Spreading to Bone

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Tests may include:

Blood tests—to check for signs of infection
Needle aspiration of a joint—use of a needle to remove a sample for testing and culture
Bone biopsy —removal of a sample of bone to test for abnormal cells
X-rays —bone and tissue changes on x-ray may indicate osteomyelitis
Bone scan —a series of pictures of bones taken after injection of a small amount of radioactive material that highlights the bones
CT or MRI —radiographic tests to evaluate for any bone changes that may indicate osteomyelitis

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2025 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.