To evaluate the effectiveness of an institutionally developed
algorithm for evaluation and diagnosis of prosthetic joint injection
and to determine the impact of this protocol on overall hospital
re-admissions.p We retrospectively evaluated 2685 total hip arthroplasty (THA)
and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients prior to (1263) and following
(1422) the introduction of an infection detection protocol. The
protocol used conservative thresholds for C-reactive protein to
direct the medical attendant to aspirate the joint. The protocol
incorporated a clear set of laboratory and clinical criteria that
allowed a patient to be discharged home if all were met. Patients were
included if they presented to our emergency department within 120
days post-operatively with concerns for swelling, pain or infection
and were excluded if they had an unambiguous infection or if their
chief complaint was non-orthopaedic in nature.Aims
Patients and Methods
The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is difficult and requires a battery of tests and clinical findings. The purpose of this review is to summarize all current evidence for common and new serum biomarkers utilized in the diagnosis of PJI. We searched two literature databases, using terms that encompass all hip and knee arthroplasty procedures, as well as PJI and statistical terms reflecting diagnostic parameters. The findings are summarized as a narrative review.Objectives
Methods
The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains
demanding due to limitations of all the available diagnostic tests.
The synovial fluid marker, α-defensin, is a promising adjunct for
the assessment of potential PJI. The purpose of this study was to
investigate the qualitative assessment of α-defensin, using Synovasure
to detect or exclude periprosthetic infection in total joint arthroplasty. We studied 50 patients (28 women, 22 men, mean age 65 years;
20 to 89) with a clinical indication for revision arthroplasty who
met the inclusion criteria of this prospective diagnostic study.
The presence of α-defensin was determined using the qualitative
Synovasure test and compared with standard diagnostic methods for
PJI. Based on modified Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS)
criteria, 13 cases were categorised as septic and 36 as aseptic revisions.
One test was inconclusive.Aims
Patients and Methods
Louis Pasteur once said that: “Fortune favours
the prepared mind.” As one of the great scientists who contributed
to the fight against infection, he emphasised the importance of
being prepared at all times to recognise infection and deal with
it. Despite the many scientific discoveries and technological advances,
such as the advent of antibiotics and the use of sterile techniques,
infection continues to be a problem that haunts orthopaedic surgeons
and inflicts suffering on patients. The medical community has implemented many practices with the
intention of preventing infection and treating it effectively when
it occurs. Although high-level evidence may support some of these
practices, many are based on little to no scientific foundation.
Thus, around the world, there is great variation in practices for
the prevention and management of periprosthetic joint infection. This paper summaries the instigation, conduct and findings of
a recent International Consensus Meeting on Surgical Site and Periprosthetic
Joint Infection. Cite this article:
