A Clinical Review of Prosthetic Joint Infections

Prosthetic arthroplasties are continuing to increase in the United States. While prosthetic joint infections are a less common adverse event, they can have a devastating impact on the patient as well as have a large economic burden on the health care industry. Prosthetic joint infections can be surgically managed by debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention, 1-stage revisions, 2-stage revisions, resection arthroplasties, arthrodesis, and amputations. Antimicrobial therapy typically includes 4 to 6 weeks of parenteral or highly bioavailable oral agents. Suppressive and chronic oral antimicrobial therapy may be pursued depending on the pathogen, clinical scenario, and retention of the prosthesis.