Osteomyelitis is the inflammation of the bone or bone marrow usually due to bacterial or fungal infections. The infection may be acute or chronic. Infections from other areas of body may reach the bones or bone marrow through the blood or the infection may come from another infection that is close in proximity to the bone. Another common cause of such infections is road-side accidents or injuries involving the bone and soft tissues. Patients that have undergone surgical implants or other bone surgeries may also acquire a subsequent infection.
Common symptoms include lameness, persistent ulcers, fever, lethargy, weakness, limb pain, wasting of muscles and limb swelling.