Where in Dubai
Dr. Subhash Ushakoyala, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon, sees patients with bone infection at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai. Bring a list of every antibiotic you have taken for this problem, with the dates, and any culture or blood test results. If you had an operation on the bone, bring the operation note and the X-rays. His nurse answers the phone and WhatsApp.
What is osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis is an infection in a bone. Germs can reach the bone through the blood, from a nearby wound or ulcer, or through an open fracture or an operation on the bone. It is more likely in people with diabetes, especially with a foot ulcer, and in people with a weakened immune system. It usually causes severe pain, often in a leg, with warmth, swelling and redness over the bone, and sometimes a fever. Children may limp or refuse to use an arm or leg. Treated early with antibiotics, it often clears completely. Left untreated, or when it lasts a long time, it can damage the bone and need surgery.
Common signs
- Deep, worsening pain in a bone, with warmth, redness or swelling over it.
- Fever or feeling unwell together with bone pain.
- A wound or draining spot that will not heal over a fracture or old operation site.
- People with diabetes who have a foot ulcer and new pain or swelling in the foot.
- A child who limps or will not use an arm or leg and seems unwell.
How Dr. Subhash approaches it
Dr. Subhash is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon. His services list includes the treatment of osteomyelitis within limb reconstruction, and his CV lists bone and joint infections among his work. He examines the area, reviews blood tests and scans, and may arrange a sample from the bone to find the germ. He explains the antibiotic plan, and when an operation is needed to drain pus, remove infected bone or stabilise a fracture.
What to expect
Examination
He asks about injuries, operations, diabetes and other health conditions, and examines the area and any wounds.
Tests
Blood tests look for signs of infection. An X-ray, MRI or other scan shows the bone.
Finding the germ
A small sample of fluid or bone may be taken and tested, so the right antibiotic can be chosen.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are usually given for 4 to 6 weeks, and longer for a severe infection. A splint may rest a limb bone.
Surgery if needed
An operation drains pus or removes damaged bone (debridement). The gap or an unstable bone may need a later repair.
Follow-up
Regular checks, blood tests and scans show whether the infection is clearing.
Getting better
Every patient is different. These are typical milestones, not a promise; your own plan comes from your consultation.
- Finish the whole course of antibiotics, even when you start to feel better.
- An infection caught within the first few days often clears completely.
- A long-standing infection may need more than one operation and a longer recovery.
- Good control of diabetes and careful foot care lower the chance of infection returning.
Risks to know about
- The infection can come back, sometimes years later.
- Lasting damage to the bone, or a fracture that does not heal, if treatment is late.
When to book a visit
Book a visit soon if you have pain, warmth and swelling over a bone, or a wound over an old fracture or operation that is not healing. Call the clinic the same day if you have had osteomyelitis before and think the symptoms are back. Go to emergency care straight away if bone pain comes with a very high temperature, shivering or feeling very unwell, or a young child will not use an arm or leg and seems unwell.
Where to book
Dr. Subhash sees patients at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, in north-east Dubai. The clinic is at Shop No. 4, next to the Grand Excelsior Hotel.
Grand Infinity Medical Center
Shop No. 4, next to Grand Excelsior Hotel, Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
DirectionsCall +971 58 599 7460WhatsApp
Questions patients ask
I have diabetes and a foot wound that is not healing. Should I see him?
Yes, book soon and tell his nurse you have diabetes. A foot wound that will not heal can reach the bone. If you have a fever or the foot is red and spreading, go to an emergency department first.
Can a bone infection be cured with antibiotics alone?
Often, yes, especially when it is treated early. Surgery is usually needed if pus has collected in the bone, the bone is damaged, or the infection has lasted a long time.
Why does diabetes raise the risk?
Diabetes can reduce feeling in the feet, so small cuts and ulcers can go unnoticed and infection can spread to the bone. Checking your feet every day helps.
Can a bone get infected after a fracture operation?
Yes, though it is not common. An open fracture carries a higher risk. Redness, leaking or new pain around the scar should be checked promptly.
Book an appointment
His nurse answers the phone and WhatsApp.