Pediatric bone joint and muscle infections in children

What are pediatric bone joint and muscle infections?

Often referred to as "deep" infections, common forms include:

• Osteomyelitis 
• Septic arthritis

Our physicians tailor treatment to your child’s unique symptoms. When diagnosed early, our physicians can usually treat bone and joint infections with antibiotic medication. We can also provide minimally invasive surgery to clear out the infection if necessary.

What are the different types of pediatric bone joint and muscle infections?

• Osteomyelitis (bone infection) - Osteomyelitis is a bacterial infection of a bone. In children, infection in the long bones of the arms and legs are most common. A child with osteomyelitis will be referred to an orthopedist (doctor specializing in treating bone and joint problems) for evaluation and treatment. Treatment can include surgery and intravenous (IV) or oral use of antibiotics.
• Septic arthritis (joint infection) - Infectious, or septic, arthritis is an infection in one of your child’s joints. The infection usually reaches the joints through the bloodstream. Treating the joint infection promptly is important to prevent it from becoming a chronic, or long-term, disorder. Treatment can include a needle aspiration of the hip joint, surgical drainage, and intravenous (IV) or oral use of antibiotics.
• Pyomyositis (muscle infection) - Pyomyositis is a bacterial Infection of  the skeletal muscles. A child with pyomyositis  will be referred to an orthopedist (doctor specializing in treating bone and joint problems) for evaluation and treatment. Treatment can include surgical drainage, and intravenous (IV) or oral use of antibiotics.
• Post streptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA) - Arthritis of acute onset, symmetric or asymmetric, usually non-migratory, which can affect any joint and is persistent or recurrent. A child with PSRA  will be referred to a rheumatologist (A specialist in the non-surgical treatment of rheumatic illnesses, especially arthritis) for evaluation and treatment.

How are pediatric bone joint and muscle infections diagnosed?

Our doctors can look for signs of infection with a careful physical examination and by asking questions about symptoms. The key to successful treatment of bone infections and septic arthritis is prompt attention.

Tests that may help confirm a diagnosis and plan your child's treatment include:

• Bone scans - Uses a small amount of radioactive substance to make detailed images of the bones
• Needle aspiration - Removes a sample from the bone to identify the bacteria causing the infection
• Blood tests and tissue cultures - Tests on your child's blood, as well as fluid and /or tissue from the infected area, can help identify the bacteria or other organism causing the infection. This information about the infection helps your doctor determine the most effective ways to treat it.

Imaging tests

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
• Ultrasound

These test provide your child's doctor with pictures of the bones, muscles, and soft tissues in the affected area. Your doctor will look for swelling around bones and muscles, or fluid within the joints that are infected. This information helps your doctor when making the decision to treat the infection with antibiotics alone, or to perform surgery to help resolve it.