Diagnoses and staging. Osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infections.

The diagnoses of osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infections are usually made on the basis of clinical, laboratory, and radiographic examination. The diagnostic studies presently employed to diagnosis and assess osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infections are described. A universally applied classification system for stratifying osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infection would provide a framework for the evaluation of medical and surgical treatment efficacy. Such a system would enable treatment results to be compared among institutions. Staging systems currently being used are described.