The term "osteomyelitis" doctors refer to a purulent inflammatory process that affects bone tissue and bone marrow. Currently, there are several classifications of this disease in medicine.
Let's briefly consider the main ones. According to the method of pathogen penetration, osteomyelitis can be hematogenous and post-traumatic. In the first case, the infection penetrates the bones through the circulatory system, and in the second case, open fractures, gunshot wounds, or an unsuccessful operation may be the cause. Symptoms of osteomyelitis are also determined by its course: the patient can be diagnosed with an acute, chronic and atypical form. By the way, boys suffer from this disease three times more often than girls. Stages of the disease
The disease "osteomyelitis" in most people develops gradually. First, the pathogen is introduced: the infection can enter the body through an open wound, a boil, and even an ordinary abrasion. The second period is bacteremia. The microorganisms then enter the bone. It was then that a person develops the first symptoms of osteomyelitis. As a rule, the development of the disease is somehow associated with trauma, as well as a decrease in localbody resistance. The fourth stage is characterized by the formation of a small abscess in the metaphysis. Gradually, it melts the bone beams and spreads towards the diaphysis. If urgent treatment is not started, a person may develop bone vascular thrombosis. As a result, the bone marrow gradually dies, pus begins to spread under the periosteum. Its detachment begins, the bone dies. Toxic products are absorbed into the blood, the pressure inside the bone marrow increases.
Symptoms of osteomyelitis at this stage are expressed by severe pain. If the periosteum melts completely, pus penetrates into the soft tissues. By the way, the formation of intermuscular phlegmon is characterized by a decrease in pain. Finally, the disease enters the chronic phase.
How to diagnose a disease?
Symptoms of osteomyelitis from the very beginning are pronounced. A person's temperature jumps up to 40 degrees, a headache, insomnia, and weakness appear. After a few days, pain sensations are localized in the area of the lesion, intensifying with each movement. After some time, a swelling forms - it is explained by the formation of an abscess. It usually takes a week for it to break through into the surrounding tissues.
Chronic osteomyelitis: symptoms and treatment
If the disease becomes chronic, the patient's feelings change. The pain becomes constant, in the area of the pathological focus there is a non-healing fistula. With each exacerbationcloses, which provokes another jump in temperature. On the radiograph, the bone looks much thicker than normal, the bone marrow canal, on the contrary, is narrowed. At whatever stage you identify the disease, treatment must begin immediately. Otherwise, the bones may be deformed.
Among the possible complications should also be called the formation of false joints and their ankylosing. The infection is usually cleared up with antibiotics. In especially severe cases, detoxification solutions and laser blood irradiation are used. To get rid of discomfort, the doctor prescribes painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. If conservative treatment fails for several months, surgery is indicated for the patient.
