Joint arthroplasty and infection: Where do we stand?

With the field of orthopedic surgery making tremendous advances, no one arena has changed more dramatically then total joint arthroplasty. While this kind of surgery has improved quality of life for many patients, it is not without complications. When they do occur, these complications can be devastating and inflict immense burden on patients and the society. Currently, the rate of periprosthetic joint infection ranges from 0.25% to 2.0%. As the number of total joint arthroplasty procedures is expected to rise considerably, these percentages will impose a financial burden on the field of adult reconstruction. The purpose of our paper is to discuss preventative measures that can be taken to curtail infections, the proper diagnosis of such infections, and the appropriate treatment options. © 2011 by Begell House, Inc.