Orthopaedics in Lagos
Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)
The signs, what causes it, and when to see a orthopaedics specialist in Lagos.
Signs to look for
Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)
- Deep, constant bone pain, often worse at night
- Fever, chills and feeling unwell
- Swelling, warmth and redness over a bone
- A wound or small hole over a bone that keeps discharging pus
- Pieces of bone coming out of a wound
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. It can start suddenly, with bacteria carried in the blood, which is commoner in children and in people with sickle cell disease, or it can follow an open fracture, an operation with plates or screws, or a diabetic foot ulcer. In Nigeria it is often seen after fractures treated late, after wounds from a bone-setter's tight splint, or when a discharging wound has been dressed for months at home. A new infection usually clears with antibiotics if treated early. An infection that has been present for months, with dead bone or an infected implant, needs surgery to clean out the bone, and early treatment is what saves the limb.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Deep, constant bone pain, often worse at night
- Fever, chills and feeling unwell
- Swelling, warmth and redness over a bone
- A wound or small hole over a bone that keeps discharging pus
- Pieces of bone coming out of a wound
- A child who will not use an arm or leg, or stops walking
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital now for a painful, swollen limb with fever, especially in a child or in someone with sickle cell disease or diabetes, or for a limb that is cold, black or numb. Go to a hospital the same day if a wound over a fracture or an implant turns red, swollen and painful or starts to discharge. See an orthopaedic surgeon promptly for a wound that has been discharging for weeks or months, even if the pain is mild, because the infection deep in the bone does not clear with dressings alone.
Treatment options
- Blood tests, an X-ray and often an MRI to find the infection
- A sample of the bone or pus to find the germ and the right antibiotic
- Antibiotics, often through a drip at first, then tablets for several weeks
- Surgery to clean out infected and dead bone
- Removal of an infected plate, screw or nail once the bone allows
- Control of diabetes and sickle cell disease to help healing
- Amputation, only as a last resort for a limb that cannot be saved
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
Can osteomyelitis be cured?
Yes, a new infection usually clears with early antibiotics. A long-standing infection is harder and often needs surgery to remove the dead bone, but it can still be controlled and the limb saved in most cases.
Why does my wound keep discharging after a fracture?
A wound that keeps draining over a fracture or a plate often means infection in the bone or around the metal. Dressings alone do not clear it. It needs an X-ray and an orthopaedic surgeon.
Will I lose my leg?
Most people do not, particularly when treated early. Amputation is a last resort for a limb that cannot be saved, and a second opinion from a surgeon who does limb salvage is worth getting when there is time.
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Orthopaedics in Lagos →Orthopaedics in Abuja →Orthopaedics in Port Harcourt →Orthopaedics in Jos →Orthopaedics in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Osteomyelitis. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 3 November 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.