[Periprosthetic joint infections: a practical overview for family physicians]

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Microbiology

Context:

• Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a rare but severe complication following joint replacement surgery.
• Effective management necessitates collaboration among general practitioners, orthopedic surgeons, and infectious disease specialists.
• Delayed diagnosis can lead to significant complications and necessitate complex surgical interventions.

Purpose:

• To provide general practitioners with essential information on diagnosing and managing periprosthetic joint infections.
• To emphasize the critical role of microbiological sampling in guiding treatment decisions.
• To highlight the importance of avoiding empirical antimicrobial therapy without proper diagnostic workup.

Summary:

• Accurate identification of the causative pathogen and its antibiotic susceptibility profile is paramount for successful PJI management.
• Microbiological sampling should be performed before initiating antibiotic treatment.
• Swabs from open wounds are unreliable for pathogen identification due to skin flora contamination.

Impact:

• Improved diagnostic accuracy and timely treatment of PJI.
• Reduced risk of complications and need for revision surgery.
• Enhanced collaboration between primary care physicians and surgical/infectious disease specialists for better patient outcomes.