Diagnosis of Osteomyelitis

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A physical examination by the doctor will show bone tenderness, swelling and redness coming from an infection of long bones of the leg and a bone scan may be necessary to confirm diagnosis.

Pain in the spine or pelvic bones can be a symptom of a number of conditions, so a bone scan is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis.

A bone scan will also show up areas of bone that are infected. An X-ray examination will not show anything until the infection is well advanced.

The blood often contains some bacteria from the bone infection. A blood test may be taken, and samples of blood are sent to the laboratory to identify which type of bacterium is causing the infection. If the blood tests do not show any bacteria, then a needle aspiration (removal by fine needle of a small amount of fluid) from an abscess, around the affected bone is performed for examination.

A bone lesion biopsy (a test in which a piece of bone or bone marrow is removed for examination) may also be performed.