Aim. Treatment algorithms for fracture-related nonunion depend on the presence or absence of bacterial infection. However, the manifestation of septic nonunion varies. Low-grade infections, unlike manifest infections, lack clinical signs of infection and present similarly to aseptic nonunion. The clinical importance of low-grade infection in nonunion is not entirely clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of low-grade infection in the development and management of femoral or tibial nonunion. Method. A prospective, multicenter clinical study enrolled patients with nonunion and regular healed fractures. Preoperatively, complete blood count without differential, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin were obtained, clinical signs of infection were recorded, and a suspected septic or aseptic diagnosis was made based on history and clinical examination. During surgical nonunion revision or routine implant removal, tissue samples were collected for microbiology and histopathology, and osteosynthesis material for sonication. Nonunion patients were followed for 12 months. Definitive diagnosis of “septic” or “aseptic” nonunion was made according to diagnostic criteria for fracture-related infection, considering the results of any further revision surgery during follow-up. Results. 34 patients with regular healed fractures were included. 62 nonunion patients were diagnosed as aseptic, 22 with manifest, and 23 with low-grade infection. The positive predictive value was 88% and the negative predictive value 72% for the suspected diagnosis. The nonunion groups had significantly higher CRP levels than the regular healer group. Differentiation between septic and aseptic nonunion based on blood values was not possible. Low-grade infection demonstrated less frequently histopathologic signs of infection than manifest infection (22% vs. 50%, p=0.048), with 15% of regular healers having histopathologic signs of infection. Cutibacterium acnes was less present in manifest compared to low-grade infection (p=0.042). Healing rates for septic nonunion involving C. acnes were significantly lower for manifest infection (20%) than for low-grade infection (100%, p=0.002). Patients with low-grade infection were treated with systemic antibiotics less frequently than patients with manifest infection (p=0.026), with no significant difference in healing rate (83% vs. 64%), which was slightly lower for low-grade infection than for aseptic nonunion (90%). Conclusions. Low-grade infections play a significant role in nonunion development and are difficult to diagnose preoperatively due to the lack of clinical signs of infection and unremarkable blood counts. However, our results imply that for low-grade infections, antibiotic therapy may not always be mandatory to heal the nonunion. This study was supported by the German Social Accident Insurance (FF-FR0276)

Aim. Failed consolidation (nonunion) after foot and ankle arthrodesis is a major complication, which can lead to additional revision arthrodesis with increased risk of morbidity. Multiple factors can contribute to developing a nonunion, including a low-grade infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of unsuspected low-grade infection in revision arthrodesis for nonunions after foot and ankle arthrodesis. We also analyzed the outcome of unsuspected low-grade infections. Method. We conducted a retrospective study in The Sint Maartenskliniek, The Netherlands. All patients who underwent revision arthrodesis for assumed aseptic nonunion after foot and ankle arthrodesis between January 2020 and July 2021 were included. Patients were excluded if <5 tissue samples were obtained during revision arthrodesis or if they were treated for infection after the index arthrodesis. For the included patients, at least 5 tissue samples for culture were taken during the revision arthrodesis. The causative microorganisms, antibiotic susceptibility and treatment were assessed. An unsuspected infection was defined as ≥2 positive cultures with phenotypical identical microorganisms. Success was defined as union on imaging during clinical follow-up, without signs of persistent infection after finishing the antibiotic treatment. Results. In total 91 revision arthrodesis due to nonunion were performed. The mean duration between index and revision arthrodesis was 571 days. In 14 patients, an unexpected infection was diagnosed. The most frequent causative bacteria identified were Cutibacterium acnes (n=10) and Staphylococcus spps. (n=5). One infection was caused by a Gram-negative bacilli (Acinetobacter spps.). Two infections were polymicrobial. Of the 14 infections, 12 were treated with antibiotics for 12 weeks, 1 for 6 weeks and 1 was not treated. After one-year follow-up, the success rate was 86% and in one patient re-surgery was performed for a non-infectious reason. Conclusions. In 18% of the revisions for nonunion after foot and ankle arthrodesis, an unexpected low- grade infection was the cause of the nonunion. Nonunion occurring after foot and ankle arthrodesis is a severe complication, leading to additional revision arthrodesis. Low-grade infection should be considered as possible explanation of the nonunion, despite the lack of local inflammatory signs. As 18% of the nonunions were unexpectedly caused by low-grade infection, we strongly recommend obtaining at least 5 tissue samples for culture during revision arthrodesis. The outcome of unexpected infection as cause of nonunion is good, when treated with targeted antibiotics for 12 weeks

Aim

The pathogenesis of non-union is multifactorial. Path biological factors, mechanical factors, and low-grade-infection contribute to impaired bone healing. Aim of this study was to determine the rate of low-grade-infection in patients with long bone non-union of the lower extremity without signs of acute infection, the influence of CRP (C-reactive protein), and the outcome.

Aim. In 10% of the presumed aseptic hip or knee revisions, a low-grade infection is unexpectedly diagnosed based on the tissue samples taken during revision. Extended antimicrobial prophylaxis can possibly reduce the failure rate in cases of unexpected PJI, because the prophylaxis can be considered as early empiric treatment. In this randomized controlled study we analysed whether extended antimicrobial prophylaxis compared to a single dose is beneficial to improve the outcome of treatment in unexpected PJI in revision arthroplasty. Method. This study was nested in a randomized clinical trial comparing single-dose cefazolin with prolonged prophylaxis (15 doses of cefazolin over 5 days) for revision arthroplasty of the hip or knee. For this analysis, patients were included if an unsuspected PJI (defined as ≥2 positive intraoperative tissue samples with the same microorganism) was diagnosed. PJI treatment consisted of 12 weeks of a rifampicin-based regimen in Staphylococcal PJI, without removal of the prosthesis. We examined Infection characteristics and success of treatment after one year, defined as the absence of signs or treatment for PJI during follow-up. Results. After randomization of 662 patients, 68 unexpected PJI were diagnosed. In 5 cases no antimicrobial treatment was started. The success rate after one year follow-up for those who received PJI treatment was 96% (28/29) in the single dose group and 91% (31/34) in the extended prophylaxis group (p=1.00). The most frequently identified pathogens in unexpected PJI were Cutibacterium acnes (n=50) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=14). The causatives were susceptible for the cefazolin prophylaxis in 61 of the 63 cases. The interval between the stopped prophylaxis and the re-start of antimicrobial treatment was on average 10 days (SD 4) for the single dose and 5 days (SD 4) for the extended group. The mean duration of antimicrobial treatment was 83 days (SD 12) and did not differ between both groups (p=0.16). Conclusions. This is the first randomized controlled trial in which extended prophylaxis showed no benefit on the prosthesis survival for patients with an unexpected PJI after assumed aseptic revision of the hip or knee prosthesis. The results imply that extended prophylaxis should not be given as part of early empiric therapy

Aim. Differentiation of infected (INF) nonunion from aseptic (AS) nonunion is crucial for the choice of intra- and postoperative treatment. Preoperative diagnosis of infected nonunion is challenging, especially in case of low-grade infection lacking clinical signs of infection. Standard blood markers such as C-reactive protein or leucocyte count do not aid in preoperative diagnosis. Proteomic profiling has shown promising results for differentiation of numerous chronic disease states, and in this study was applied to preoperative blood samples of patients with nonunion in an attempt to identify potential biomarkers. Method. This prospective multicenter study enrolled patients undergoing revision surgery of femur or tibia nonunion. Patients with implant removal after regular fracture healing (HEAL) were included as a control-group. Preoperative blood samples, intraoperative tissue samples, sonication of osteosynthesis material and 1-year-follow-up questionnaire were taken. Nonunion patients were grouped into INF or AS after assessing bacterial culture and histopathology of retrieved samples. Diagnosis of infection followed the fracture related infection consensus group criteria, with additional consideration of healing one year after revision surgery. Targeted proteomics was used to investigate a predefined panel of 45 cytokines in preoperative blood samples. Statistical differences were calculated with Kruskal Wallis and Dunn's post hoc test. Cytokines with less than 80% of samples being above the lower limit of detection range (LLDR) were excluded for this study. Results. We recruited 62 AS, 43 INF and 32 HEAL patients. Patients in the two nonunion groups (INF and AS) did not differ concerning smoking, diabetes or initial open or closed fracture. Thirty-two cytokines were above LLDR in >80% of patients. INF patients showed a significant difference in expression of 8 cytokines compared to AS, with greatest differences observed for Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor 1 (MCSF-1) and Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) (p<0.01). In comparing AS with HEAL patients, 9 cytokines displayed significant differences, including interleukin (IL)-6, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA), Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1). Comparison of INF with HEAL patients revealed significantly different expression of 20 cytokines, including. IL-6, IL-18, VEGFA or MMP-1. Conclusions. Our study revealed differences in plasma cytokine profile of blood samples from INF and AS patients. Although no single biomarker is sufficient to differentiate these patients preoperatively in isolation, future multivariant analysis of this cytokine data in combination with clinical characteristics may provide valuable diagnostic insights. Funded by German Social Accident Insurance (FF-FR 0276) and AO Trauma (AR2021_04)

Aim. Low-grade infections cannot be easily distinguished from aseptic complications frequently leading to false negative diagnoses and late onset of anti-bacterial therapy. Therefore, there is a great need to establish biomarkers for early detection of low-grade infections. Method. In this study, we focused on the investigation of anti-α-defensin, anti-C3, anti-C5 and anti-C9 as potential biomarkers for infection in a cohort of hip and knee septic revision cases, taking patient characteristics and comorbidities into account. Here we included 78 patients with septic (35) and aseptic (43) (woman:37, men:42, age 50 – 93 years) revision surgeries of hip and knee. CRP serum levels and leucocyte blood values were evaluated. Patient characteristics, including age, number of prior revision surgeries and comorbidities were recorded. Periprosthetic tissue was stained histologically with Hematoxylin/Eosin and immunohistologically with different antibodies. Results. The CRP values were significantly increased in the septic cohort, but no changes were observed in leucocyte count. Interestingly, we found a strong increase in the terminal complement system component C9 (septic: 0.1% ± 0.2% aseptic: 0.01% ± 0.05%, p= 0.0004) in the septic periprosthetic tissue. The predictive value of α-defensin staining was not statistically significant (septic: 0.5% ± 0.7% aseptic: 0.1% ± 0.6%, p= 0.09). Analyzing the synovial fluid of aseptic and septic patients, the presence of C9 in the septic group (1.8 ± 0.4) was not significantly higher compared to the aseptic (1.9 ± 0.7) group. The next step was to investigate the specificity C9 detection using different joint related diseases such as chondrocalcinosis (CC), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and metallosis. The median of C9 staining in the CC group (0 ± 0.0001) was significant lower than the infection group. Similar results have been observed in RA (0.0003 ± 0.2) and the metallosis group (0.0002 ± 0.01). Conclusions. We found a strong predictive value of anti-C9 staining for tissue infection, suggesting that C9 deposition could be a novel biomarker for the identification of periprosthetic joint infections using tissue biopsies

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of low-grade infections in total hip arthroplasty revisions and the clinical outcomes after two-time revision surgery. Retrospective study of total hip arthroplasty revision surgery between January of 2012 and December of 2013. Inclusion criteria: two-time revision surgery, PCR (pre and post-op) white blood cells count and microbiological culture. The diagnosis of low-grade infection was based on the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) guidelines. All patients were evaluated with the Harris Hip Score (HHS). Between this period were revised a total of 79 hips, none of them bilateral, of these fourteen full-filled the inclusion criteria, eight women and six men. The mean time between primary arthroplasty and revision surgery was 4.5 years. The interface was metal-on-polyethilene in thirteen and metal-on-metal in one. All patients had at least three episodes at the urgency department with permanent hip pain in the last six months. Ten have done a course of antibiotics previous to surgery. Intra-articular pus was present in four patients. The agent isolated was S. Aureus in five and S. Epidermidis in two. An elevated PCR and leucocytosis was present in all patients. The mean PCR was 18.1 and leucocytes countage 7600. The HHS was good in four patients, fair in seven patients and poor in three. These three patients with poor had another surgical intervention due to recurrent dislocation. Periprosthetic joint infection is a common complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). The incidence is approximately 1% after primary replacement and about 4% revision arthroplasty. As stated by Hanssen successful treatment outcomes require precise assessment of the infecting organism, the immune status of the patient, and the condition of the bone and soft tissues around the joint. With this study we tried to establish a protocol in our service: patient with a THA, interface metal-on-polyethilene, persistent coxalgia and elevated PCR will be diagnosed with low-grade infection, however we need further revision of our experience

Aim. Low-grade infections are difficult to diagnose. As the presence of a chronic infection requires extensive surgical debridement and antibiotic treatment, it is important to diagnose a SII prior to surgery, especially when the hardware is revised. We investigated whether serum inflammatory markers or nuclear imaging can accurately diagnose a chronic spinal instrumentation infection (SII) prior to surgery. Method. All patients who underwent revision spinal surgery after a scoliosis correction between 2017 and 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. The diagnostic accuracy of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), . 18. F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and Technetium-99m-methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) 3-phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS) to diagnose infection were studied. Patients with an acute infection or inadequate culture sampling were excluded. SII was diagnosed if ≥ 2 of the same microorganism(s) were isolated from intra-operative tissue cultures. Results. 31 patients were included. The indication for hardware extraction was pseudoarthrosis in the majority of patients (n = 15). 22 patients (71%) were diagnosed with SII. In all infected cases, Cutibacterium acnes was isolated, including 5 cases with a polymicrobial infection. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV was: 4.5%, 100%, 100% and 30.0% for CRP >10.0 mg/L, 5.5%, 100%, 100% and 29% for ESR > 30 mm/h; 56%, 80%, 83% and 50% for FDG-PET/CT and 50%, 100%, 100% and 20% for TPBS, respectively. Conclusions. The prevalence of SII in patients undergoing revision spinal surgery is high, with Cutibacterium acnes as the main pathogen. No diagnostic tests could be identified that could accurately diagnose or exclude SII prior to surgery. Future studies should aim to find more sensitive diagnostic modalities to detect low-grade inflammation

Aim. Diagnosis and isolation of a causative organism is imperative for successful treatment of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). While there are several diagnostic algorithms using microbiology, serum and synovial markers, the preoperative diagnosis of a low-grade infection remains a challenge, particularly in patients with unsuccessful aspiration. An incisional biopsy may be used in these cases as additional diagnostic tool. In this retrospective study we evaluated microbiological findings, sensitivity, and specificity of open synovial biopsies in cases of inconclusive preoperative diagnostics. Methods. In a retrospective databank analysis (2010–2018), we identified 80 TKAs that underwent an open biopsy because of inconclusive results after applying the CDC Criteria (2010) or the MSIS (2011–2018) for PJI. Infection makers in the serum (C-reactive protein [CRP], leucocytes count and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and in the synovial aspirate (leucocyte count, percentage of neutrophiles) prior to the biopsy were analyzed. All biopsies were performed by suprapatellar mini-arthrotomy. If a subsequent revision surgery was performed, the isolated organisms in the open biopsy were compared to the results in the revision surgery and sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Serum markers were checked for correlation with a positive result in the open biopsy using Cramer-V and Chi. 2. -Test. Results. A positive result in the open biopsy occurred in 32 cases (40%) while 48 cases (60%) showed no growth of microorganisms. A preoperative elevated serum CRP (≥1mg/dl) showed a significant correlation for a positive biopsy (p=0.04). The odds ratio for a positive biopsy was 2.57 (95% CI 1.02–6.46) with elevated serum CRP. A revision surgery of the TKA with additional tissue sampling was performed in 27 (84%) cases with a positive biopsy and in 32 (67%) cases with a negative biopsy. The intraoperative tissue samples from the revision surgery showed microbial growth in only 52% of cases that were believed to be culture positive from the biopsy results, while positive cultures occurred in 41% of the cases with an initially negative biopsy. Patients with ≥ two cultures of the same microorganism in the biopsy presented a positive result in 73% of their revision surgeries. The open biopsy showed a sensitivity of 48% with a specificity of 62% in our collective if revision surgery was performed. Conclusion. Open biopsy may be considered with inconclusive preoperative serum and synovial fluid diagnostics for PJI, but sensitivity and specificity were rather low in this special collective. Further studies with bigger collectives should be performed to determine potential markers with a higher sensitivity

Aim. Diagnosing or excluding a chronic prosthetic joint infection (PJI) prior to revision surgery can be a clinical challenge. To enhance accuracy of diagnosis, several biomarkers were introduced in recent years, but most are either expensive or not available as a rapid test. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of leucocyte esterase (€0.20 per sample), calprotectin (€20 per sample) and alpha defensin (€200 per sample). Method. We prospectively evaluated PJI patients with chronic pain with or without prosthetic loosening between 2017 and 2018. Synovial fluid was collected prior to revision surgery. Leucocyte esterase was measured using a reagent strip (2+ considered as positive), and calprotectin and alpha defensin were measured using a lateral flow immunoassay. Intraoperative cultures (5 periprosthetic tissue samples, synovial fluid and sonication fluid) incubated for 9 days, were used as gold standard. At least two positive cultures of low-grade microorganisms with the same antibiogram were required to diagnose PJI. Results. A total of 19 patients were included (knee =11, hip =8). None of the patients were treated with antibiotics prior to revision surgery. A PJI was diagnosed in 8 patients (42.1%). The diagnostic accuracy of leucocyte esterase vs. calprotectin vs. alpha defensin was as follows; sensitivity 50.0% vs. 87.5% vs. 87.5%, specificity 81.8% vs. 90.9% vs. 100%, positive predictive value 60.0% vs. 87.5% vs. 100% and negative predictive value 75.0% vs. 90.9% vs. 91.6%, respectively. Both calprotectin and alpha defensin were false negative in one PJI caused by Cutibacterium acnes. The other two C. acnes PJIs were correctly diagnosed with both tests. Conclusions. Calprotectin is as accurate as alpha defensin in excluding a chronic PJI at 10% of the costs. Future studies with a large number of patients are necessary to analyze its diagnostic accuracy in very low-grade infections, in particularly caused by C. acnes

Aim. Propionibacterium acnes is an emerging pathogen especially in orthopedic implant infection. Interestingly, we previously reported a difference in the distribution of the clades involved in spine versus hip or knee prosthetic infection. To date, no study has previously explored the direct impact and close relationship of P. acnes on bone cells according to their own genetic background. The aim of this study was to investigate this interaction of P. acnes clinical strains involved in spine material infections, arthroplasty infections and acne lesions with bone cells. Method. From a large collection of 88 P. acnes clinical isolates collected between January 2003 and December 2014, a subset of 11 isolates was studied. Four isolates were recovered from spine infections, two from prosthetic infections (knee and hip), three from acne lesions and two reference strains (ATCC11827 and ATCC6919). Implant-associated infections were confirmed according to Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for bone and joint infections. Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) was carried out on all isolates as described by Lomholt et al. PLoS ONE 2010. Bacterial internalization experiments with MG63 osteosarcoma cells were adapted from Crémet et al. Pathog Dis 2015. Results. Among the nine clinical isolates, three isolates belonged to clonal complexes (CCs) 18; three to CC28 and three to CC36. ATCC isolates belonged to CC18. Bacterial internalization experiments revealed that CC36 P. acnes strains were less invasive than CC18 and CC28 P. acnes strains towards osteoblasts (mean percentage of internalized bacteria (< 0.01% for the CC36 P. acnes strains versus more than 1% for the CC18 and CC28 P. acnes strains). Surprisingly, the ATCC11827 CC18 P. acnes strain exhibited invasiveness similar to CC36 isolates. Conclusions. Evasion mechanism observed for CC36 P. acnes isolates could allow this clade to leave the site of infection, disseminate into deeper tissue layers and beget arthroplasty infection. Inside the deeper tissue, close to the material, the local immune defect fosters the low-grade infections observed with P. acnes clinical strains. On the another hand, for CC18 et CC28 clades, mostly involved in spine infection, the internalization process observed could allow these clades to escape from the numerous immune cells located under the skin and generate an infection locally, favored by the spine instrumentation close to the skin, especially during long spine surgeries

Correct diagnosis of infection is crucial for an adequate treatment of orthopedic implant-related infections. In the orthopedic field, infections can be difficult to diagnose(1). As a consequence, patients may suffer from an undiagnosed and untreated implant-related infection. To solve this problem, we are searching for a diagnostic method to detect these so-called low-grade infections. The technique fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) can detect slow-growing and even dead bacteria. Further, as FISH results are available within an hour after tissue collection it is an ideal candidate for diagnostic purposes. AIM: to evaluate the FISH technique for its potential to detect and identify orthopedic infections. Sonication fluid (SF) was collected by sonicating retrieved implants(2) from 62 patients. All samples were subjected to bacterial culture for clinical diagnostics. In addition, a commercially available FISH kit (miacom diagnostics, Germany), specifically designed for blood analysis (hemoFISH Masterpanel), was used. The kit contained 16S rRNA probes (positive control), non-sense probes (negative control), probes for Staphylococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acetinobacter spp., and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. All FISH analyses were performed according to the protocol provided with the kit. Culture and FISH results were compared, considering culture as the gold standard. Culture resulted in 27 positive and 35 negative samples. Comparing FISH (16S rRNA probe) with culture, 24 samples tested true-positive and 32 samples true-negative. Furthermore, 3 samples tested false-negative and 3 samples false-positive. The species cultured with the highest incidence were Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, both from 8 SF samples. As the kit did not contain a probe for Propionibacterium acnes, these strains were only detected by the 16S rRNA probe. In addition, the latter samples tested positive with the Staphylococcus spp. probe. Interestingly, 3 samples tested positive with FISH that were culture negative. This result could indicate a higher sensitivity for detection of bacteria with FISH than with culture. Before FISH can be used for diagnostic purposes, the technique needs to be optimized to prevent false-negative results, for use on other patient materials and for detection of bacterial strains relevant for the orthopedic field like Propionibacterium acnes. In conclusion, FISH holds promise to be used as a diagnostic tool for identifying orthopedic infections

Introduction:. Lateralization of reversed shoulder arthroplasty provides improvement in range of motion and decreases inferior scapular notching. The purpose of this study was to verify if the autologous cancelous bone graft harvested from the humeral head does heal constantly in a large cohort of patients followed for a long time. Methods:. Cohort of 92 consecutive patients operated between 2006 and 2010 with a BIORSA for definitive shoulder pseudoparalysis, secondary to cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) or massive, irreparable cuff tear (MCT). The autogenous cancelous graft was harvested from humeral head in all cases. Eight patients were lost for follow up, and four died before 2 years. The remaining 80 patients underwent clinical, radiographic and CT assessment at a minimum FU of 24 months. Mean age was 73 years. Three independent observers evaluated notching, partial or total glenoid or humeral loosening and viability of the graft. Constant-Murley score, range of motion and subjective shoulder value (SSV) were recorded. The mean follow up was 39 months (range 24–74 months). Results:. The bone graft did healed completely in 96% of the cases (77/80); the thickness of the graft remained stable through the years. There were two cases of glenoid loosening: one nonunion of the graft at the scapular side was due to an important superior tilt of the glenosphere; one failure of fixation at the baseplate side was related to a low-grade infection. Another patient had a partial radiolucent line between graft and native glenoid located only above the central peg. No other radiolucent line around peg, screws or baseplate was found. Inferior scapula notching was observed in 19% of the cases (mainly grade 1 and 2). Each parameters of Constant score improved, and the mean SSV increased from 27% to 78%. Conclusion:. This study shows that: (1) autologous cancellous bone graft, harvested from the humeral head, does heal to the native glenoid despite the advanced age of the patients; and (2) BIO-RSA allows improvement of shoulder function (mobility, pain, strength, subjective value) with a low rate of scapular notching

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection of the musculoskeletal tissue is a rare disease. An early and accurate diagnosis is often difficult because of the indolent clinical course and difficulty of isolating pathogens. Our goal was to determine the clinical features of musculoskeletal NTM infection and to present the treatment outcomes. A total of 29 patients (nine females, 20 males between 34 and 85 years old, mean age 61.7 years; 34 to 85) with NTM infection of the musculoskeletal system between 1998 to 2011 were identified and their treatment retrospectively analysed. Microbiological studies demonstrated NTM in 29 patients: the isolates were Mycobacterium intracellulare in six patients, M. fortuitum in three, M. abscessus in two and M. marinum in one. In the remaining patients we failed to identify the species. The involved sites were the hand/wrist in nine patients the knee in five patients, spine in four patients, foot in two patients, elbow in two patients, shoulder in one, ankle in two patients, leg in three patients and multiple in one patient. The mean interval between the appearance of symptoms and diagnosis was 20.8 months (1.5 to 180). All patients underwent surgical treatment and antimicrobial medication according to our protocol for chronic musculoskeletal infection: 20 patients had NTM-specific medication and nine had conventional antimicrobial therapy. At the final follow-up 22 patients were cured, three failed to respond to treatment and four were lost to follow-up. Identifying these diseases due the initial non-specific presentation can be difficult. Treatment consists of surgical intervention and adequate antimicrobial therapy, which can result in satisfactory outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1561–5.

We have prospectively studied the outcome of infections associated with implants which were retained and treated using a standardised antimicrobial protocol. Over a period of four years, we studied 24 consecutive patients who had symptoms of infection for less than one year, a stable implant, no sinus tract and a known pathogen which was susceptible to recommended antimicrobial agents. The infections involved hip prostheses (14), knee prostheses (5), an internal fixation device (4), and an ankle prosthesis (1).

Twenty patients had a successful outcome at a median follow-up of 3.7 years (1.8 to 4.7); four had failure of the implant after a median follow-up of 1.2 years (0.3 to 2.5). The probability of survival without failure of treatment was 96% at one year (95% confidence interval (CI) 88 to 100), 92% at two years (95% CI 80 to 100) and 86% at three years (95% CI 72 to 100).

Patients with a short-term infection but with a stable implant, no sinus tract and a known pathogen may be successfully treated by retention of the implant and the use of a standardised regimen of antimicrobial treatment.