Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Osteomyelitis) that could possibly cause Osteomyelitis includes:
More causes: see full list of causes for Osteomyelitis
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Osteomyelitis that are listed by the Diseases Database:
Other conditions that might have Osteomyelitis as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Osteomyelitis. Our database lists the following as having Osteomyelitis as a complication of that condition:
Conditions listing Osteomyelitis as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Osteomyelitis. Our database lists the following as having Osteomyelitis as a symptom of that condition:
Causes: Osteomyelitis:
Usually bacterial infection such as staphyloccus.
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Osteomyelitis may be found in:
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Osteomyelitis.
Virtually any pathogenic bacteria can cause osteomyelitis under the right circumstances. Typically, these organisms find a culture site in a hematoma from recent trauma or in a weakened area, such as the site of surgery or local infection (for example, furunculosis), and spread directly to bone. As the organisms grow and form pus within the bone, tension builds within the rigid medullary cavity, forcing pus through the haversian canals. This forms a subperiosteal abscess that deprives the bone of its blood supply and may eventually cause necrosis. In turn, necrosis stimulates the periosteum to create new bone (involucrum); the old bone (sequestrum) detaches and works its way out through an abscess or the sinuses. By the time sequestrum forms, osteomyelitis is chronic.
Osteomyelitis occurs more commonly in children (especially boys) than in adults — usually as a complication of an acute localized infection. The most common sites in children are the lower end of the femur and the upper end of the tibia, humerus, and radius. The most common sites in adults are the pelvis and vertebrae, generally as a result of contamination associated with surgery or trauma. Other common sites are sternoclavicular, sacroiliac, and symphysis pubis. The incidence of both chronic and acute osteomyelitis is declining, except in drug abusers. With prompt treatment, the prognosis for acute osteomyelitis is very good; for chronic osteomyelitis, which is more prevalent in adults, the prognosis is still poor.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
The most common pyogenic organism in osteomyelitis is Staphylococcus aureus; others include Streptococcus pyogenes, Pneumococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris. Typically, these organisms find a culture site in a hematoma from recent trauma or in a weakened area, such as the site of local infection (for example, furunculosis), and spread directly to bone.
As the organisms grow and form pus within the bone, tension builds within the rigid medullary cavity, forcing pus through the haversian canals. This forms a subperiosteal abscess that deprives the bone of its blood supply and eventually may cause necrosis. In turn, necrosis stimulates the periosteum to create new bone (involucrum); the old bone (sequestrum) detaches and works its way out through an abscess or the sinuses. By the time sequestrum forms, osteomyelitis is chronic.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
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