Diagnostic Evaluation of Prosthetic Joint Infections of the Shoulder: What Does the Literature Say?

Abstract

The total number of patients with a total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is increasing, and the number of patients experiencing a (TSA) prosthetic joint infection (PJI) also will increase. It is important that physicians know how to identify signs of infection, know the common pathogens, and know how to work up a shoulder PJI. This publication reviewed the current literature about presenting signs and symptoms, common shoulder pathogens and how they differ from total knee and hip pathogens, and what images, tests, and procedures can aid in identification of infection.

Keywords: Arthroscopic biopsy; Infection; Prosthetic joint infection; Shoulder; Total shoulder arthroplasty.