Infections

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. Bone infections can occur following trauma or they can arise just as an ear or throat infection does. While most common in the shin or thigh, any bone can be affected. Symptoms usually develop over the course of 24-36 hours and include swelling, bone pain, fever and limping.

Henry Ford pediatric orthopaedists, radiologists and infectious disease experts work together to rapidly diagnose and treat patients with osteomyelitis. Treatment involves proper antibiotic selection. Occasionally, surgery is used to remove the infection or dead bone associated with the infection.

Septic arthritis

Septic arthritis is an infection that affects the joints, resulting in swelling, pain and a high fever. Children may tend to favor the area affected. This infection is treated with antibiotic therapy and surgery to remove pus from the infected joint.