Discharge Instructions for Osteomyelitis
Discharge Instructions for Osteomyelitis
You have a condition called osteomyelitis. This is a bone infection caused by bacteria or fungi. The infection may have come from one area of your body and spread to the bone by traveling through the blood. Osteomyelitis is described as “acute” when the infection is new, and “chronic” when you have had the infection for a longer time. If you have any questions or concerns, call your healthcare provider.
Home care
Take your medicine exactly as directed. If you were given antibiotics or antifungal medicine, make sure you finish the prescription—even if you feel better. If you don’t finish the medicine, the infection may return and may make future infections harder to treat.
Be careful not to injure the area where you have the infection.
Carefully follow all instructions for taking care of any wounds.
Use a splint, sling, or brace as directed by your healthcare provider.
Follow-up care
Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.
When to seek medical care
Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:
Increasing pain, redness, swelling, or drainage in the infected area
Fever 100.4°F (38°C) or greater, or as advised
Increasing fatigue or feeling tired
Updated:
March 21, 2017
Sources:
Hatzenbuehler, J. Diagnosis and Management of Osteomyelitis. American Family Physician (2011); 84(9); pp/ 1027-1033, Overview of Osteomyelitis in Adults, Up To Date
Reviewed By:
Fetterman, Anne, RN, BSN,Horowitz, Diane, MD