Service
Osteomyelitis / Bone Infections
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone — typically spreading from a nearby wound (such as a deep diabetic foot ulcer) or seeded through the bloodstream. It is one of the more serious wound-care diagnoses: untreated bone infection risks amputation, chronic pain, and systemic illness. Early recognition and aggressive, coordinated treatment give the best chance of preserving the limb.
How We Treat It
A care plan built around osteomyelitis / bone infections
Diagnosis combines probe-to-bone testing, imaging (X-ray, MRI, bone scan), inflammatory markers, and tissue or bone culture. Treatment typically pairs surgical debridement of infected bone with a 4–6 week IV antibiotic course, sometimes followed by oral suppression. Dr. Rizvi coordinates with infectious-disease specialists and orthopedic surgeons for the surgical components and manages the wound throughout recovery. Antibiotic strategy follows [IDSA](https://www.idsociety.org/) osteomyelitis guidance, and diabetic-foot screening for bone involvement aligns with [ADA](https://diabetes.org/) Standards of Care.
- Patients treated
- 900+ bone-infection cases treated
- Typical recovery
- 6–12 weeks antibiotic course
- Visits
- Weekly during treatment
- Outcomes
- Limb-preservation focus
Why Patients Choose Dr. Rizvi
What's in the Plan
- Probe-to-bone testing in-office for suspected bone involvement
- Rapid imaging and infectious-disease consultation coordination
- Wound-care co-management during 4–6 weeks of IV antibiotic therapy
- Home-infusion coordination so patients can complete IV therapy outside the hospital
- Long-term follow-up to detect recurrence, which is common with osteomyelitis
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How is osteomyelitis diagnosed?
A combination of findings is used: clinical exam (probe-to-bone through an open wound is highly suggestive), inflammatory blood markers (ESR, CRP), imaging (X-ray for advanced cases, MRI for earlier detection, bone scan in select situations), and bone biopsy with culture to confirm and identify the organism.
Do I need hospital admission for bone infection?
Not always. Stable patients with planned surgical debridement and home IV antibiotics can often complete treatment as outpatients. More severe or systemically ill patients need hospitalization for initial stabilization and operative debridement before transitioning to outpatient care.
Can osteomyelitis be cured, or does it always come back?
Acute osteomyelitis has high cure rates when treated promptly and thoroughly. Chronic osteomyelitis (longstanding, often with dead bone) can be harder to eradicate and has a meaningful recurrence risk — long-term follow-up and sometimes suppressive oral antibiotics are part of the plan. Limb-preservation outcomes improve with early, specialist-coordinated care.
Ready to talk about osteomyelitis / bone infections?
Same- or next-day appointments. Telemedicine available. Most insurance accepted — call to verify your plan.