What should you know about hip osteomyelitis?

The infection may reach bone through the bloodstream, nearby tissue, an operation, or an injury. Symptoms can include deep hip or groin pain, tenderness, warmth, swelling, fever, chills, tiredness, or difficulty moving the leg. Some people do not have every symptom, particularly when infection develops gradually.

Assessment may include an examination, blood tests, and imaging. The team may also look for a source of infection and decide whether a sample is needed to guide treatment. Hip pain alone cannot confirm osteomyelitis, but suspected infection should not be watched at home without medical advice.

Treatment is planned by a medical team and commonly involves targeted antimicrobial medicine, monitoring, and management of the infection source. Some people need drainage or removal of infected or damaged tissue. Bone grafting may be considered in selected situations when infection or surgery has left a bone defect; it is not a self-care treatment and is decided after specialist assessment.

Take prescribed medicine exactly as directed and attend follow-up tests. Do not apply heat, massage a swollen area, or exercise through severe pain while an infection is being assessed.

Seek urgent medical care for hip pain with fever or chills, a hot or swollen area, worsening redness, drainage from a wound, confusion, faintness, or inability to bear weight. After hip surgery or an injury, new pain with discharge or fever needs prompt contact with the treating team.

Ask where the infection is located, which tests are needed, how treatment will be monitored, and whether a procedure is being considered. Ask which symptoms require emergency help and how much weight-bearing is safe.