The upcoming event UFC 310 on December 7, in Las Vegas took a blow when current welterweight champion and headliner Belal Muhammad posted on instagram news of a bone infection which will force him out of the main event. Muhammad (24-3) was set to have his first title defense against Shavkhat Rakhmonov (18-0) in a highly anticipated bout of 170 pounders.Osteomyelitis is a serious bone infection that occurs when fungus or bacteria spreads to the bone. From the photos Muhammad shared on his instagram, his left 3rd digit shows severe signs of infection. An incision and drainage was done with what appears to be packing placed inside and stitches applied. Recovery time is about 6 weeks and a full course of antibiotics, some of which came through an IV and can be continued orally. If not treated, osteomyelitis can cause permanent bone loss and necrosis. Cases of osteomyelitis in hospitals have been tracked as high as 1 in every 675 admissions. People who develop osteomyelitis, especially mixed martial artists, expose themselves in susceptible areas where fungal and bacteria growth is high such as their training mats and equipment.
Signs and symptoms are consistent with any infection of having chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Along with those, swelling with heat and skin discoloration with pus discharge is a common occurrence. In order to avoid these kinds of infections it is important to soak your feet in warm soapy water and to clean all training surfaces thoroughly.
