What is osteomyelitis?
A person with osteomyelitis has inflammation of a bone, caused by a bacterial infection. A staph infection is the most common cause of osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is an uncommon infection that tends to occur most in the elderly or in children. Vertebral osteomyelitis is an infection of the bones in the spine. It occurs most commonly in adults over the age of 50. Invasive medical procedures and spine surgery increase a person's risk for vertebral osteomyelitis.

What are the symptoms of osteomyelitis?
Symptoms of osteomyelitis include bone pain, bone tenderness, fever, and chills, Additional symptoms may include redness and swelling of the skin that lies over the infected bone.

How does the doctor treat osteomyelitis?
Treatment for osteomyelitis may include antibiotics, narcotic pain medications, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain. Surgery may be required to remove infected bone.