Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone and bone marrow that was coined in 1834 and includes three root words - osteon, myelo, and itis. It may remain localized or spread through the bone. There are three main mechanisms of infection - hematogenous spread, direct contact, and direct implantation. Osteomyelitis is classified based on duration as acute (<2 weeks), subacute (2 weeks to 3 months), or chronic (>3 months). Diagnosis involves clinical features, lab findings like elevated WBC and ESR, and radiological findings like periosteal reaction visible on x-rays after 1-2 weeks. Treatment involves antibiotics, surgery to debride infected tissue, and management of complications