What will happen if osteomyelitis is left untreated?

Condition analysis:
Osteomyelitis is very serious and if left untreated, can lead to necrosis or cell death. If necrosis is left untreated, it can lead to sepsis, which is infection in the blood. Sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and eventually death. It can also lead to amputation. To properly treat osteomyelitis, the dead and infected bone needs to be debrided. I would recommend you see a wound specialist and possibly undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Instructions:
Antibiotic Therapy: Osteomyelitis usually requires prolonged therapy with antibiotics to eliminate the bacterial (in rare cases, fungal) infection. The antibiotic therapy may last weeks to months. You may need to take one or more antibiotics, usually intravenously (through a vein), either in hospital or at home.

Normally, they are given for a minimum period of 4-6 weeks. The antibiotic prescribed will depend on the type of organism causing the infection, as determined by bone biopsy. The side effects of these antibiotics can be diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.