This malady strikes children more often than adults, causing severe pain and tenderness, particularly when the joint near the infected area is flexed. Fever, drowsiness, and dehydration also occur. If osteomyelitis is caused by a heel puncture wound, the heel will hurt and swell and the victim will probably not experience a fever. Osteomyelitis is confirmed with blood tests, x-rays, and radionuclide bone scans. For some forms of the disease, such as infection of the vertebrae, a biopsy may be necessary.
Recurrences are common, and the disease can become chronic.
For osteomyelitis caused by heel puncture wounds, surgery and antibiotics are necessary to prevent long-term damage.