Fig. 5.

The BACH classification system for long bone osteomyelitis. The four key variables are headers with the corresponding criteria for making the classification in each. The green band denotes ‘uncomplicated’ osteomyelitis that can be managed at a non-specialist centre, the amber band denotes ‘complex’ osteomyelitis that should be managed at a centre with specialist expertise, and the red band is ‘limited options available’. The overall complexity of the osteomyelitis is determined by the band of the most severely classified variable.