DIAGNOSES AND STAGING - OSTEOMYELITIS AND PROSTHETIC JOINT INFECTIONS

The diagnoses of osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infections are usu ally made on the basis of clinical, laboratory, and radiographic exami nation. The diagnostic studies presently employed to diagnosis and ass ess osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infections are described. A uni versally applied classification system for stratifying osteomyelitis a nd prosthetic joint infection would provide a framework for the evalua tion of medical and surgical treatment efficacy. Such a system would e nable treatment results to be compared among institutions. Staging sys tems currently being used are described.