You have a condition called osteomyelitis. This is a bone infection caused by bacteria or fungi. It may have spread through the blood from an area of your body to the bone. This condition is called acute when the infection is new. It's called chronic when you've had it for a longer time.
Home care
-
Take your medicine exactly as directed. If you were given antibiotics or antifungal medicine, make sure you finish all of the medicine even if you feel better. If you don’t finish the medicine, the infection may return. This may make future infections harder to treat.
-
Be careful not to injure the area where you have the infection.
-
Carefully follow all instructions for taking care of any wounds.
-
Use a splint, sling, or brace as directed by your doctor.
Follow-up care
Make a follow-up appointment as directed.
When to get medical care
Contact your doctor if you have any of the following:
-
Increasing pain, redness, swelling, or drainage in the infected area
-
Fever of
100.4 ° F (38 °C) or higher, or as advised by your provider -
Chills
-
Increasing fatigue or feeling tired
Online Medical Reviewer: Rahul Banerjee MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Turley Jr PA-C
Online Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN
Date Last Reviewed: 01/01/2025
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Bone and Joint Care
Find expert care for joint pain, injuries, and conditions that affect how you move at the HPH Bone & Joint Centers.
Learn MoreRelated Articles
Discharge Instructions for Total Hip Replacement Surgery
This sheet will help you care for yourself after total hip replacement.
Discharge Instructions for Elbow Arthroscopy
Instructions for taking care of yourself after elbow arthroscopy.
Discharge Instructions for Knee Arthroscopy
Information on how to care for yourself after knee arthroscopy.
Discharge Instructions: Unna Boot
An Unna boot is a dressing and wrap combination that's applied from your foot to your knee. An Unna boot has a special medicine in the gauze that will help heal burns or skin sores and protect new skin. Here's what you need to know about home care.
