Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

Novel Diagnostics in Revision Arthroplasty: Implant Sonication and Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
Published on: December 3, 2017
Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare Presenting as Prosthetic Joint Infection With Synovial Next Generation Sequencing Guiding
Jonathan Lash1, Andrew Murphy1, Marcus Voigt1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) knee pain after joint replacement can mimic infection. Next-generation sequencing helped identify the rheumatic cause, avoiding unnecessary surgery for this prosthetic joint infection mimic.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Genomics
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may present with knee pain mimicking prosthetic joint infection (PJI).
- Discontinuation of RA medication can precipitate flares, leading to symptoms that overlap with PJI.
- Differentiating between RA flares and PJI is crucial for appropriate treatment and patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
Endocarditis I: Introduction
Endocarditis III: Medical Management
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

