Diagnosis of Shoulder Arthroplasty Infection: New Tests on the Horizon

Periprosthetic shoulder infection (PSI), although less common than prosthetic hip and knee infections, continues to be a devastating complication of shoulder arthroplasty. Unlike its counterparts in the hip and knee, infection with nonsuppurative bacteria is more common than infection with more virulent bacteria in periprosthetic shoulder infection. The diagnosis of PSI can be challenging because the traditional clinical and laboratory findings are not always present. The authors present a narrative review of the current methods used in the diagnosis of PSI, as well as recently developed tests that may hold promise for the diagnosis of PSI. [Orthopedics. 2020; 43(2):76-82.].