Bone, joint and muscle infections in children

What are bone, joint and muscle infections in children?

Infections happen when bacteria, fungi or other harmful germs grow and spread inside the body. Bone, joint and muscle infections happen when these germs travel deep inside the body and into the bones, joints or muscles.

What are the different types of bone, joint and muscle infections in children?

Osteomyelitis (bone infection)

Osteomyelitis happens when bacteria or other harmful germs enter the body and travel into the bones. In children, this type of infection usually infects the long bones in the arms and legs.

Septic arthritis (joint infection)

Infectious arthritis, also called “septic arthritis," is an infection in one of your child’s joints. The infection usually starts somewhere else in the body and travels to the joints through the bloodstream. These infections typically affect the hips, knees, ankles, wrists, elbows and shoulders.

Pyomyositis (muscle infection)

Pediatric pyomyositis is a bacterial infection that affects the muscles in children. The infection usually starts with a cut or injury that allows bacteria to enter the muscle tissue. Muscle infections are most common in the thigh, groin and pelvis.

Post-streptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA)

Post-streptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA) is a type of arthritis that can happen after an infection with streptococcus bacteria. These bacteria cause illnesses like strep throat and scarlet fever.

Occasionally, if a strep infection goes untreated or is not treated successfully, the immune system can get confused and start attacking joints. This can cause mild, moderate or severe joint pain that can last for weeks or months.

What are the signs and symptoms of bone, joint and muscle infections in children?

• Fever

• Pain

• Swelling, redness or warmth in the affected area

• Limited movement of the infected area — your child may have trouble moving or using the affected joint or limb

• Infants experiencing these infections may be fussy, lethargic or not want to eat. They may also vomit.

It is important to bring your child to a doctor immediately if they have any of the above symptoms and they do not resolve in 24 hours, especially if they are not eating or using their limb. Treating bone, joint and muscle infections early leads to the best outcomes.

How are bone, joint and muscle infections in children diagnosed?

We’ll start your child’s treatment by doing a physical exam. We’ll look for signs of infection and ask questions about your child’s symptoms. We may use a variety of tests to confirm your child’s diagnosis, determine what is causing their infection, and plan their treatment. These tests include:

• Imaging tests like X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and ultrasound to take pictures of the bones, muscles and soft tissues in the affected area.

• Needle aspiration where a small sample from the bone is removed to identify what’s causing the infection.

• Blood tests and tissue cultures to test your child's blood, fluid and/or tissue from the infected area and identify what’s causing your child’s infection.

What causes bone, joint and muscle infections in children?

These infections are usually caused by bacteria. The most common bacteria causing bone, joint or muscle infections in children is Staphylococcus aureus (often called "Staph" infections). Staph bacteria often enter the body through an open cut or injury. Sometimes, they can move through the bloodstream and into a bone, muscle or joint.

How are bone, joint and muscle infections in children treated?

The orthopedic team at Children’s Health are experts at diagnosing and treating bone, joint and muscle infections in children. Our physicians tailor treatment to your child’s unique symptoms and the specific cause of their infection. Treatments include:

Antibiotics

Bone, joint and muscle infections can usually be treated with antibiotics when they are diagnosed early. Children will often start their treatment at the hospital and receive antibiotics through a tube that goes into their veins (IV tube). Most children with these types of infections will stay in the hospital for about a week.

After they finish their first round of antibiotics at the hospital, we may give your child additional antibiotics to take for a few weeks.

Surgery

Children with more severe infections may need surgery to treat their infection. If your child needs surgery, rest assured that the highly trained and experienced team at Children’s Health are experts at performing these procedures. They can use a simple procedure to remove infected material from around the bone so your child can heal faster. Sometimes, a small tube is placed in the incision to keep the fluid away from tissue as it heals. This is usually removed before your child goes home.