Skip to Main Content
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates: Visitor Guidelines & More

Safety Measures at Riley Children’s Health

We are taking thoughtful steps to ensure our spaces remain safe for patients, parents and caregivers. View safety measures, mask policy and visiting guidelines.

Information on COVID-19

Learn more about COVID-19, information about previously scheduled appointments and what you can do to help protect your child and family. View COVID-19 information.


Free Virtual Coronavirus Screenings

IU Health has launched a virtual clinic to offer individuals in Indiana regardless of age free coronavirus (COVID-19) screenings. View screening details.

Actualizaciones del Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Información sobre el COVID-19

Obtenga más información acerca del COVID-19, incluyendo las preguntas más frecuentes y lo que puede hacer para ayudar a protegerse y proteger a su familia. Ver información del COVID-19.


Restricciones para visitantes

Las instalaciones de salud de IU Health han implementado restricciones a los visitantes para ayudar a minimizar la propagación del COVID-19, la gripe y otros virus respiratorios. Ver restricciones para visitantes.


Información sobre citas ambulatorias previamente programadas

Para asegurar la salud y la seguridad de todos nuestros pacientes y empleados durante la pandemia del coronavirus (COVID-19), estamos haciendo ajustes en algunas de nuestras citas ambulatorias. Ver actualizaciones de citas ambulatorias.


Exámenes de coronavirus virtuales gratuitos

IU Health ha lanzado una clínica virtual para ofrecer a las personas en Indiana, independientemente de la edad, evaluaciones virtuales para la detección del coronavirus (COVID-19). Ver detalles de la evaluación.

Riley Children's Health
  • 317.944.5000
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
    • Health Information
    • Find A Doctor
    • Depts. & Programs
    • Research & Innovation
    • Contact & Locations
    • Refer a Patient
    • Log in to My IU Health
Riley Children's Health
  • 317.944.5000
  • My IU Health
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
Book Appointment Online with select physicians.
Request Appointment Online to schedule with one of our coordinators.
1.888.IUHEALTH for
Same-Day Primary Care Appointments.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Refer a Patient
    • Plan My Visit
    • Pay a Bill
    • Make a Donation
    • Volunteer
  • Health Information
  • Find A Doctor
  • Depts. & Programs
  • Research & Innovation
  • Contact & Locations
  • Log in to My IU Health
  • General Information
    317.944.5000
  • Health Information
  • Find A Doctor
  • Departments & Programs
  • Research & Innovation
  • Contact & Locations
Riley Children's Health

Bone & Joint Infections

Bone & Joint Infections
  • Find A Doctor
  • Request An Appointment
  • On This Page:
  • Treatments
  • Key Points to Remember
  • Support Services & Resources
  • Research & Clinical Trials
  • Locations
  • Departments Treating This Condition
Go back to the top of the page

If bacteria enter the body, they can find their way to the musculoskeletal system, leading to infection. Bone and joint infections, also known as musculoskeletal infections, occur most commonly in toddlers and young children. They often occur in the bones and joints of the arms and legs. An infection of the bone is called osteomyelitis and septic arthritis refers to a joint infection.

Bone and joint infections are usually caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (or “staph”) and require treatment with antibiotics. A serious form of staph known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes infections that can be more severe and need special antibiotics to treat.                                                                       

It is important to recognize and treat bone and joint infections because they can:

  • Spread to the blood and other organs causing life-threatening illness
  • Damage growth plates, bones and joints
  • Cause chronic arthritis and bone fractures

Symptoms of bone and joint infections may include:

  • Pain (localized or vague) in a limb or joint that increases in severity
  • Pain with bearing weight on the affected limb or joint
  • Pain with touching the affected area
  • Redness and swelling at the site of pain
  • Redness and swelling of the joint
  • Warmth and redness in the infected area
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • General malaise

Diagnosis of Bone & Joint Infections

Pediatric infectious disease specialists at Riley at IU Health diagnose children with symptoms of an infection using the following tests:

  • Physical exam. This is a routine test that doctors use to assess health.
  • Blood test. This test examines a sample of blood.
  • X-ray. This test produces images of the inside of the body to help identify possible areas of infection.
  • Computed tomography (CT). This special X-ray produces cross-sectional images of the body to see if certain areas of the body are infected.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test produces images of the inside of the body to see if there is inflammation in the infected areas. Some children may need diagnostic and interventional anesthesia for this test.

Once an experienced pediatrician or pediatric orthopedist determines that your child has a bone or joint infection, a procedure may be required to obtain a sample from the infected area. In the case of joint infections, fluid is aspirated using a needle and sent for laboratory analysis. Infections of the bone may require a bone biopsy (tissue sample taken from the body and examined) to help identify what specific bacteria have infected the bone. These procedures help decide the appropriate antibiotic for that type of bacterial infection. Occasionally, orthopedic surgery is required in cases of complicated musculoskeletal infections.

Treatments

Treatments

If your child has a bone or joint infection, he or she needs to be treated by an experienced pediatric infectious disease specialist as well as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. If infections are identified and treated early, most children have a good outcome.

Bone and joint infections are treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics during a short hospital stay. After leaving the hospital, most children take oral antibiotics, usually for several weeks.

Some children may need a special IV called a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line. A PICC line provides intravenous access for a prolonged period of time so the child can continue to receive IV antibiotics at home.

Treatment should include follow-up with a pediatric infectious disease specialist and a pediatric orthopedist.

Key Points to Remember

Key Points to Remember

  • Bone and joint infections, also known as musculoskeletal infections, occur most commonly in toddlers and young children.
  • Bone and joint infections are usually caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (or “staph”) and require treatment with antibiotics.
  • When treated early, most children with bone and joint infections have a positive outcome.
  • Some complicated cases of musculoskeletal infections may require orthopedic surgery.

Support Services & Resources

Support Services & Resources

Find more information about bone and joint infections by visiting these trusted websites.

Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.

Learn More About Riley Support Services

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

This website has information about common types of bone and joint infections in children, including the ways doctors identify and treat them.

Bone & Joint Infections Research

Bone & Joint Infections Research

The Infectious Diseases Department and the Radiology & Imaging Department at Riley at IU Health are conducting research on the most effective diagnostic methods for musculoskeletal infections.

Locations

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

Riley Outpatient Center at IU Health

Pediatric Infectious Diseases
575 Riley Hospital Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46202

317.944.7260

Get Directions

View location information

Meridian Crossing

Infectious Diseases
11590 N Meridian St
Carmel, IN 46032

317.944.7260

Get Directions

View location information

Departments Treating This Condition

Departments Treating This Condition

  • Anesthesiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
  • Radiology & Imaging
Riley Children's Health Indiana University School of Medicine
Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2020-21

©2021 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org

Get Informed

  • About Riley Children's Health
  • Family Support Services
  • Health Professionals
  • Medical Education
  • Newsroom
  • Riley Connections Blog
  • Careers
  • Legal Notices

I Want To…

  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Refer a Patient
  • Plan My Visit
  • Pay a Bill
  • Make a Donation
  • Volunteer

General Information

317.944.5000

Connect with Riley at IU Health

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • RSS
Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2020-21

©2021 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org


Non-discrimination Notice

  • English
  • Español
  • Français
  • Burmese
  • Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch
  • 中文
  • Nederlands
  • Deutsche
  • Hakha
  • 日本語
  • Karen
  • 한국어
  • Русский
  • Tagalog
  • Tiếng Việt
  • العربية
  • हिंदी
  • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
Back to top of the page