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osteomyelitis
(os″te-o-mi″ә-li´tis)
inflammation of bone, localized or generalized, due to an infection, usually by a pus-producing organism. Abscesses may form
and destroy the bone; joints may stiffen if the infection spreads to them; and in extreme cases that happen before the child's
bones are finished growing, a limb may be shortened. It usually affect the long bones of the upper and lower limbs and cause
acute pain and fever. Onset may be sudden, with chills, high fever, and severe pain. Other symptoms include a marked increase
in leukocytes; tenderness, swelling, and redness of the skin over the involved bone; and bacteremia.
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