[The classification of osteomyelitis]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Osteomyelitis classification is crucial for effective treatment and research.
• Existing classification methods may lack standardization for comparative studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel, comprehensive classification system for osteomyelitis.
• To facilitate standardized data collection and comparison in osteomyelitis research.

Main Methods:

• A classification system based on four key characteristics: Cause of infection (A), duration (D), bone findings (K), and soft part findings (W).
• Utilizes figure codes for concise representation, with single digits for basic descriptions and multi-digits for detailed typing.
• Employs simple measurement data and spatial transformation for calculating bone defects.

Main Results:

• The proposed system allows for precise typing of osteomyelitis using a combination of figure codes.
• Individual characteristics can be communicated separately, enhancing data flexibility.
• Bone defects are quantitatively assessed using spatial transformation methods.

Conclusions:

• This classification system provides a standardized framework for osteomyelitis.
• It is beneficial for compiling differentiated statistics and enabling comparisons in diagnostic and therapeutic studies.
• The system's modular nature allows for clear communication of specific osteomyelitis characteristics.