Osteomyelitis is an infection in a bone. Infections can reach a bone by traveling through the bloodstream or spreading from nearby tissue. Infections can also begin in the bone itself if an injury exposes the bone to germs.
Although once considered incurable, osteomyelitis can now be successfully treated. It can be complicated due to the presence of teeth and persistent exposure to the oral environment. In many cases, surgery is required to remove areas of the bone that are no-longer alive but after surgery, strong intravenous antibiotics are typically needed for successful and complete healing.