Osteomyelitis describes an infection that occurs in the bone. Commonly caused by trauma to the bone or bacterial or fungal infection, osteomyelitis occurs in children and adults and, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is equally common across race and gender. Nonetheless, people with certain diseases or a history of particular medical procedures may be at increased risk of developing the condition.
Poor Circulation
When blood fails to circulate properly, certain parts of the body are deprived of the oxygen and nutrients they need to function and remain healthy. They also fail to receive the white blood cells they need that fight off disease. Consequently, any health condition that causes a decrease in normal blood circulation can increase the risk of osteomyelitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of these conditions include diabetes, certain blood diseases such as sickle-cell anemia and peripheral artery disease.
Medical Procedures
Any invasive medical procedure that exposes your internal organs or requires the insertion of tubing directly into your body gives bacteria a direct point of entry, thereby increasing the risk of infection and osteomyelitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, surgeries--especially those performed in or around a fractured bone or joint--increase the risk of direct bone infection. Germs can also easily enter the body through urinary catheters, tubes that deliver oxygen that are placed inside the nose and mouth, and central lines--tubes placed in a vein to deliver fluid or medication.
People suffering from kidney failure who have undergone hemodialysis--a procedure that makes use of a machine to help the ailing kidneys filter the blood--are also at higher risk of osteomyelitis, according to the National Institutes of Health. The dialysis machine and invasive tubing make it more likely that the patient will introduce bacteria directly into the body.
Depressed Immune System
According to the Cleveland Clinic, people whose immune systems are compromised due to age or illness are at increased risk of developing osteomyelitis. Consequently, the elderly, anyone with human immunodeficiency virus, commonly called HIV, leukemia or lymphoma, or anyone receiving immunosuppressive treatment--including those receiving chemotherapy or radiation, or those with autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis taking immunosuppressive drugs to suppress inflammation--have a higher risk of developing the condition.
The National Institutes of Health adds that a splenectomy, or surgical removal of the spleen, also increases the risk of osteomyelitis. The spleen is responsible for filtering the blood, and it plays an integral role in helping the body fight off infection from foreign bacteria and other toxic substances. People without a spleen are therefore less able to defend themselves from infections such as osteomyelitis.
Intravenous Drug Use
Intravenous drug users inject illicit drugs into a vein or underneath the skin using a needle. If the skin's surface or needle is contaminated, they may introduce bacteria into the bloodstream. Consequently, they are at higher risk of developing infections, including osteomyelitis.
