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Pediatric bone joint and muscle infections in children

Bone, joint and muscle infections occur when bacteria or fungi spread to the affected area, often causing pain and inflammation. In children, bone and joint infections usually happen in the long bones of the arms and legs. Children’s Health℠ has extensive experience diagnosing and treating bone, joint and muscle infections.

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What are pediatric bone joint and muscle infections?

Often referred to as "deep" infections, common forms include:

Our physicians tailor treatment to your child’s unique symptoms. When diagnosed early, our physicians can usually treat bone and joint infections with antibiotic medication. We can also provide minimally invasive surgery to clear out the infection if necessary.

What are the different types of pediatric bone joint and muscle infections?

  • Osteomyelitis (bone infection) - Osteomyelitis is a bacterial infection of a bone. In children, infection in the long bones of the arms and legs are most common. A child with osteomyelitis will be referred to an orthopedist (doctor specializing in treating bone and joint problems) for evaluation and treatment. Treatment can include surgery and intravenous (IV) or oral use of antibiotics.
  • Septic arthritis (joint infection) - Infectious, or septic, arthritis is an infection in one of your child’s joints. The infection usually reaches the joints through the bloodstream. Treating the joint infection promptly is important to prevent it from becoming a chronic, or long-term, disorder. Treatment can include a needle aspiration of the hip joint, surgical drainage, and intravenous (IV) or oral use of antibiotics.
  • Pyomyositis (muscle infection) - Pyomyositis is a bacterial Infection of  the skeletal muscles. A child with pyomyositis  will be referred to an orthopedist (doctor specializing in treating bone and joint problems) for evaluation and treatment. Treatment can include surgical drainage, and intravenous (IV) or oral use of antibiotics.
  • Post streptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA) - Arthritis of acute onset, symmetric or asymmetric, usually non-migratory, which can affect any joint and is persistent or recurrent. A child with PSRA  will be referred to a rheumatologist (A specialist in the non-surgical treatment of rheumatic illnesses, especially arthritis) for evaluation and treatment.

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric bone joint and muscle infections?

Children who have infections of their bones, joints or muscles often have the following:

  • Fever
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Limited movement of the infected area — your child may limp or refuse to walk if the infection involves the legs or back
  • Infants may be irritable and lethargic, refuse to eat, or vomit
  • Warmth

Many children who have bone, joint, or muscle infections have had recent injuries. The symptoms of infection are often masked by those of the injury. Because parents assume the injury will get better over time, it may take them longer to notice the infection.

It is important to bring your child to a doctor immediately if symptoms are not quickly resolving at home.

How are pediatric bone joint and muscle infections diagnosed?

Our doctors can look for signs of infection with a careful physical examination and by asking questions about symptoms. The key to successful treatment of bone infections and septic arthritis is prompt attention.

Tests that may help confirm a diagnosis and plan your child's treatment include:

  • Bone scans - Uses a small amount of radioactive substance to make detailed images of the bones
  • Needle aspiration - Removes a sample from the bone to identify the bacteria causing the infection
  • Blood tests and tissue cultures - Tests on your child's blood, as well as fluid and /or tissue from the infected area, can help identify the bacteria or other organism causing the infection. This information about the infection helps your doctor determine the most effective ways to treat it.

Imaging tests

These test provide your child's doctor with pictures of the bones, muscles, and soft tissues in the affected area. Your doctor will look for swelling around bones and muscles, or fluid within the joints that are infected. This information helps your doctor when making the decision to treat the infection with antibiotics alone, or to perform surgery to help resolve it.

What are the causes of pediatric bone joint and muscle infections?

Infections are usually caused by bacteria that are present in our normal living environment. The most common bacteria causing bone, joint, or muscle infections in children is staphylococcus aureus (often referred to as "Staph" infections).

Bacteria can get into the body in a variety of ways. They circulate through the bloodstream until they reach a bone, joint, or muscle. Bacteria then leave the bloodstream and multiply in the bone, joint, or muscle tissues.

How are pediatric bone joint and muscle infections treated?

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of all infectious disorders involving bone, joint, or muscle helps improve the outlook for your child. When infections are not treated early, they can damage tissues and cause chronic problems.

At Children’s Health, we provide comprehensive care for a range of orthopedic disorders using a multidisciplinary approach that addresses all your child’s needs, from diagnosis through treatment and recovery. Our pediatric orthopedic physicians will create a personalized treatment plan for your child.

Treatment options include:

  • Medication to help manage pain and swelling
  • Antibiotics
  • In serious cases, surgery to clean out the affected areas in and around the bone

Pediatric bone joint and muscle infections doctors and providers

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What causes pediatric bone joint and muscle infections?

    Bacteria can get in the body in a variety of ways. They circulate through the bloodstream until they reach a bone, joint, or muscle. Bacteria then leave the bloodstream and multiply in the bone, joint, or muscle tissues.

    Infections are usually caused by bacteria that are present in our normal living environment. The most common bacteria causing bone, joint, or muscle infections in children is Staphylococcus aureus (“staph” infections).

  • Will my child get a pediatric bone joint and muscle infection again?

    Once treated, osteomyelitis usually doesn’t cause long term problems. Children aren’t likely to develop the same infection again. Basic hygiene should always be performed.

  • Why is my child being restricted from sports and PE with a pediatric bone joint and muscle infection?

    Restricting your child from physical activities helps to protect bone that is weakened by infection or surgical intervention. Immobilization with casts or splint of affected bone and joints also helps to protect the extremity and reduce further inflammation, especially in the early stages of treatment.

  • My child seems to be doing fine at home. Do we really need to continue with a full six weeks of antibiotics for a pediatric bone joint and muscle infection?

    Complete all antibiotics as prescribed and follow-up with your orthopaedic surgeon to ensure full resolution of the infection. Stopping the antibiotics early may lead to a recurrence of infection, partially treated infection, or drug-resistant bacteria.

  • What is MRSA-“mer-sa”-methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus?

    Staphylococcus aureus is type of bacteria that about 30% of the population has in their nose or on their skin. Most of the time it does not cause a problem, and it may be treated with antibiotics. When antibiotics don’t work we call the staph resistant or methicillin –resistant staphylococcus aureus.

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