CONDITION

Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)

BONE INFECTION & LIMB PROTECTION

Osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone that may develop after a wound, surgery, injury, or spread from nearby infected tissue. It can become serious without timely evaluation, especially when circulation problems, diabetes, or chronic wounds are involved.
  • Bone infection can become serious
  • Often linked to wounds or diabetes
  • Imaging and labs may be needed
  • Treatment depends on severity
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Evaluation & Next Steps

  • Clear severity assessment and next steps
  • Supportive care and recovery guidance
  • Care across 4 Las Vegas locations
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Quick Summary

Key takeaway: Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that needs careful evaluation because delayed treatment can worsen wounds, damage bone, and increase limb-risk in vulnerable patients.

Osteomyelitis can cause pain, swelling, drainage, fever, or a wound that will not heal. Evaluation may include exam, wound assessment, lab work, imaging, circulation testing, and coordination between vascular, wound, infectious disease, and surgical care when needed.

Osteomyelitis Overview

What is Osteomyelitis?

Osteomyelitis is an infection involving bone. It may occur when bacteria reach the bone through an open wound, a deep ulcer, an injury, surgery, or spread from nearby infected tissue.

Why Evaluation Matters

Bone infections can be difficult to treat if they are not recognized early. Evaluation helps identify infection severity, wound depth, circulation problems, and whether treatment should include antibiotics, wound care, surgery, or vascular support.

Symptoms of Osteomyelitis

Symptoms vary depending on where the infection is located, how long it has been present, and whether there is an open wound or circulation problem.

Persistent Wound

A wound or ulcer that does not heal may raise concern for deeper infection.

Pain or Tenderness

Bone infection may cause deep pain, soreness, or sensitivity near the affected area.

Swelling or Redness

The skin around the area may look swollen, warm, red, or irritated.

Drainage or Odor

Drainage, pus, odor, or exposed tissue may suggest a more serious infection.

Seek care now if…

Seek urgent evaluation if you have fever, spreading redness, worsening pain, drainage, black tissue, exposed bone, a rapidly worsening wound, or a wound in the setting of diabetes, poor circulation, or immune suppression.

Causes & Risk Factors

Osteomyelitis develops when infection reaches the bone. In foot, ankle, and limb-care settings, chronic wounds and poor circulation are especially important risk factors.

Common Causes

  • Open wounds or ulcers
  • Deep soft tissue infection
  • Recent injury or surgery
  • Spread from nearby tissue
The infection may begin at the skin surface and extend deeper over time, or it may occur after trauma, surgery, or bloodstream spread. The cause helps guide testing and treatment planning.

Risk Factors

  • Diabetes
  • Peripheral arterial disease
  • Chronic wounds
  • Poor circulation
  • Prior foot ulcer
  • Immune suppression
  • Recent surgery or injury
  • Neuropathy or reduced sensation

Diagnosis & Evaluation

Diagnosis focuses on confirming whether the bone is infected, identifying the source, and determining whether blood flow or wound-healing problems are contributing.

Typical Evaluation

  • Review wound and symptom history
  • Examine skin, drainage, and tissue depth
  • Check circulation and sensation
  • Order labs when appropriate
  • Use X-ray, MRI, or other imaging when needed

What to Bring

  • Prior wound care records
  • Recent imaging or lab results
  • Medication and antibiotic list
  • Diabetes or vascular history
  • Timeline of wound changes

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on infection severity, wound depth, circulation, bone involvement, overall health, and whether limb-salvage planning is needed.
Related care may include wound care, vascular testing, antibiotics, infectious disease coordination, surgical evaluation, and limb-salvage planning when appropriate.

Infection & Wound Control

  • Assess wound depth and drainage
  • Coordinate cultures when needed
  • Review antibiotic plan
  • Protect surrounding tissue

Circulation & Healing Support

  • Evaluate blood flow
  • Identify PAD risk
  • Support wound healing potential
  • Coordinate vascular care

Bone & Surgical Evaluation

  • Review imaging findings
  • Assess exposed or infected bone
  • Discuss debridement when needed
  • Consider limb-salvage planning

Follow-Up Evaluation

  • Wound fails to improve
  • Pain or swelling worsens
  • Drainage or odor persists
  • Fever or spreading redness occurs

Recovery & Follow-Up

Recovery from osteomyelitis depends on infection severity, wound healing, blood flow, diabetes control, antibiotic response, and whether procedures are needed.

What Helps Most

  • Keeping follow-up for wound checks and infection monitoring
  • Taking medications exactly as directed
  • Protecting the wound from pressure and repeat injury
  • Managing diabetes and circulation risk factors
  • Reporting changes early before infection worsens

When to Follow Up

  • Drainage increases or odor develops
  • Redness spreads or swelling worsens
  • Fever or chills occur
  • Pain increases despite treatment
  • The wound deepens or bone becomes visible
  • Healing stalls despite wound care

Frequently Asked Questions

Osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone that may occur after a wound, injury, surgery, or spread from nearby infected tissue.

Symptoms may include deep pain, swelling, redness, warmth, drainage, odor, fever, or a wound that will not heal.

Diagnosis may include exam, wound assessment, blood tests, X-rays, MRI, cultures, and circulation testing when wound healing is a concern.

Yes. Bone infection can worsen over time and may threaten tissue or limb health, especially in people with diabetes, poor circulation, or chronic wounds.

Treatment may include antibiotics, wound care, pressure relief, debridement or surgical evaluation, vascular care, and coordinated follow-up depending on severity.

Seek urgent care for fever, spreading redness, worsening pain, drainage, black tissue, exposed bone, or a rapidly worsening wound.

Locations

LVVIS offers vein evaluation and treatment planning at multiple Las Vegas locations. Choose the office that is most convenient when scheduling your visit.

LVVIS West Side Consultation Office

8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148

Consultations and vascular evaluations

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LV2 Limb & Vascular Division

8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148

Limb preservation and podiatry partnership care

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LVVIS East Procedure Office

2250 E Flamingo Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89119

Procedures, diagnostics, and circulatory care

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LVVIS West Side Surgical Center

6120 S Fort Apache Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89148

Advanced vascular and interventional procedures

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