The term osteomyelitis encompasses a broad group of infectious diseases characterized by infection of the bone and/or bone marrow. The pathogenesis of these diseases can follow acute, subacute or chronic courses and involves a range of contributory host and pathogen factors. A commonly used aetiological classification distinguishes between three types of osteomyelitis: acute or chronic haematogenous disease seeded by organisms in the bloodstream, local spread from a contiguous source of infection and secondary osteomyelitis related to vascular insufficiency. .
