The aim was to determine how periprosthetic hip and knee infection and subsequent revision impact on patient lifestyle and function. While the literature abounds with studies of outcomes of revision surgery for prosthetic infection, few studies address functional outcome and patient-based outcome measures.

This retrospective study examined a consecutive series of revision total knee and hip arthroplasties performed for infection between 1996 and 2002 by surgeons at Wellington Hospital. Eight knees and ten hips were treated with a two-stage exchange using antibiotic spacer and IV antibiotics. Two knee and seven hip patients underwent direct exchange procedures.

In 90% of knees and 65% of hips Infection was successfully eradicated after one revision. One (10%) knee and eight (47%) hips required further intervention of either surgery or antibiotic therapy. Mean Oxford Scores for knees and hips were 29.6 and 29.5 respectively. Oxford scores following revision for infection were slightly higher compared with scores following the primary procedure, indicating poorer functional outcome. EuroQol-5D responses indicated a lower level of function than that of a general population sample, with problems in the areas of mobility, usual activities, and pain/discomfort, most apparent.

While functional outcome is intrinsically related to both the amount of destruction caused by infection and the eradication of infection, absence of re-revision in itself cannot be equated with functional success. Although TKA/THA revision is a technically challenging orthopaedic procedure, patients do attain favourable results. Surgical revision of a prosthetic joint implant for infection can be associated with reasonable function and satisfaction scores.