STAGING AND STAGING APPLICATION IN OSTEOMYELITIS

Osteomyelitis is traditionally staged by the Waldvogel classification system. The Waldvogel classification is an etiologic system and does n ot readily lend itself to guiding surgical or antibiotic therapy. Othe r classifications have been developed to emphasize different clinical aspects of osteomyelitis, These classifications include those of Ger, Kelly, Weiland, Gordon, May, and Cierny-Mader, The Cierny-Mader classi fication is based on the anatomy of bone infection and the physiology of the host. The Cierny-Mader classification permits the development o f comprehensive treatment guidelines for each stage, The Cierny-Mader classification is used to demonstrate the application of staging for t he diagnosis and treatment of osteomyelitis.