Prosthetic joint infections

Abstract

Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are often managed by surgical treatment of irrigation and debridement (I&D) in acute infections, and 1-stage or 2-stage exchange arthroplasty in chronic infections. Patients who undergo I&D have had lower success rates compared with patients who undergo exchange arthroplasty, especially if resistant organisms are encountered. In patients who cannot undergo surgical reconstruction, resection arthroplasty, fusion, or amputation may be performed. Patients who are poor surgical candidates may be treated with chronic antibiotic suppression. Despite these treatments, PJIs may not be fully eradicated, and future research should be performed to prevent the development of PJIs.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Irrigation and debridement; One-stage exchange arthroplasty; Prosthetic joint infection; Suppressive antibiotics; Two-stage exchange arthroplasty.