Musculoskeletal Infections - in children

While symptoms can vary from child to child, the most common include:

• fever
• fussiness or irritability
• tiredness

in the area of the infected bone or joint:

• tenderness or pain
• swelling, warmth and redness
• your child limits use or doesn't use the infected extremity at all
• your child typically guards or protects this area from being touched or looked at

Blood tests

Blood tests may reveal elevated levels of white blood cells and other factors that may indicate that your child’s body is fighting an infection. At the beginning of infection, it can be possible to do blood tests (blood culture) that can determine the type of bacterium. This can help choose the right antibiotics.

Imaging tests

If osteomyelitis or septic arthritis is suspected, it is likely your child will be referred for further imaging testing. They include:

X-rays - this test is not usually useful for diagnosis if the condition is in the early stages but can exclude other conditions with related symptoms
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Depending on the age of your child, sedation or general anesthetic may be required to perform this test.
Ultrasound scanning: this may be used to detect fluid in the joint space.

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

The main treatment for both infections is antibiotic medication.

Osteomyelitis is usually treated with antibiotics alone. In rare cases it is necessary to clear the bone infection with an operation.

Septic arthritis usually requires surgery to wash the infection out of the joint.

Antibiotics are given first into a vein (intravenous, or IV) for at least several days. This is often followed by several weeks of oral antibiotics. Other treatment can be given to ease pain.