Orthopaedics
Orthopaedic Infections
The UC Davis Health Department of Orthopaedic Surgery earned a spot in the top 2% of orthopaedic hospitals in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings. We offer you the latest procedures, expert surgical care and support after your treatment.
Medically reviewed by Mark Lee, M.D. on March 03, 2024.
Types of Orthopaedic Infections
Orthopaedic infections are bone and joint infections that can occur in different parts of your body. Sometimes these infections are complications of other conditions.
Common types include:
- Diabetes-related infections, resulting from diabetic ulcers.
- Osteomyelitis, infections in bone tissue.
- Septic arthritis, a bacterial or fungal infection in your joint.
Our award-winning orthopaedic specialists are experts at treating bone and joint infections. We also offer specialized joint reconstruction procedures to repair damage caused by orthopaedic infections.
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Orthopaedic Infection Symptoms
Common Symptoms
You may experience:
- Fever
- Pain
- Swelling
- Visible wound with characteristics like redness, swelling, pus
Emergency Symptoms
- Get medical care right away if you have symptoms such as:
- Fever that doesn’t go away
- Increasing pain, redness or draining from the skin
Orthopaedic Infection Causes and Risk Factors
Orthopaedic infections are often complications of injuries, surgery or other conditions.
A weakened immune system can be a risk factor for orthopaedic infections. It’s difficult for your body to fight bacteria that cause infections if you are immunocompromised.
Common Causes
Blood Infections
Bacteria or other pathogens in your blood can lead to orthopaedic infections.
Diabetes
People with diabetes sometimes develop wounds in their lower limbs. These wounds can become infected and lead to bone infections.
Injuries
Broken bones, injuries and wounds can develop into orthopaedic infections if they don’t receive proper treatment.
Joint Replacements and Metal Implants
Infections can develop around prosthetic joints or metal implants such as screws in bone.
Diagnosing Orthopaedic Infections
At UC Davis Health, we use the latest diagnostic equipment and techniques to diagnose orthopaedic infections.
You may undergo:
- Biopsy: An orthopaedic surgeon takes a small sample of tissue. A pathologist examines it for signs of infection.
- Blood tests: A pathologist tests your blood for signs of infection.
- Bone scans: An imaging test shows fractures that don’t show up on X-rays.
- Imaging tests: Scans such as CT, MRI, ultrasound and X-ray show images of your bones and surrounding tissue to help reveal infections or problems.
Orthopaedic Infection Treatments at UC Davis Health
Specialists at the UC Davis Health Department of Orthopaedics work with researchers to bring the latest procedures into the hospital. We specialize in techniques that preserve healthy bone tissue and reconstruct damaged joints.
Your treatment depends on the location of the infection and how severe it is.
Antibiotics or Antifungals
Medications for bacterial or fungal infections can clear some orthopaedic infections.
Needle Aspiration
A specialist uses a needle to drain fluid from an infected area.
Pain Relievers
Prescription or non-prescription drugs help with pain but do not fight the infection.
Surgery
An orthopaedic surgeon removes infected bone and tissue.
Preventing Orthopaedic Infections
There is no way to prevent many of these infections. Keeping wounds clean and getting medical care for injuries may help.
How prevalent are bone infections?
50KCases in the U.S. each year
Source: National Institutes of Health: Stat Pearls: Osteomyelitis
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Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
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