I never heard about osteomyelitis after my injury not until about 10 years later. I had a pressure sore that wasn’t managed well. the pressure point opened and I visited a nurse who then used hydrogen peroxide to dress me daily which she wasn’t supposed to. instead of getting better or drying up the wound kept getting bigger.
I started to lose weight because I couldn’t eat [lost appetite] I was always feverish and getting cold. I visited so many hospitals I was seen mostly by an orthopedic doctor. I also had a lot of antibiotics both IV and orals.
Osteomyelitis is a serious bone infection that can affect people with spinal cord injuries. It is caused by bacteria that enter the body through an open wound or surgical incision. The bacteriaan then travel to the bone and cause an infection. People with spinal cord injuries are at a higher risk of developing osteomyelitis due to their weakened immune system and decreased mobility. I seriously dont wish anyone osteomyelitis this thing almost caused my right leg amputation here’s what my leg looked like then.
According to my doctor osteomyelitis isnt curable but can be managed I’ve followed journeys of people who had osteomyelitis in developed countries who claimed they were healed from it. they always used these big and expensive gadgets for wound evacuation and dressing but the only things I used in Nigeria were antibiotics and manual wound dressing done daily . I dressed this wound for more than a year .it finally got closed and opened again in 2022. the symptoms are always like malaria Symptoms also include pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected area. Some people may also experience fever, chills, and fatigue. I read that If osteomyelitis is left untreated, it can lead to bone death, sepsis, and amputation.
As a spinal cord injury survivor anytime you have a wound be very careful of how it is managed always try to see a professional. I had plastic surgery and the affected bones were removed from the affected area. I now always take bone supplements and eat healthy so I’ve not had any reoccurrence in more than 6 months now.
I hope this helps you understand more about osteomyelitis and how it can affect people with spinal cord injuries. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider.