Prosthetic joint infection: when to suspect it, how to manage it

The number of prosthetic joint infections in the United States is rising because of our aging population and the increasing number of adults undergoing joint replacement surgery. The cardinal symptom of prosthetic joint infection is recurrent pain in the joint. Fever and leukocytosis may be absent in elderly patients, particularly in late infections. Diagnosis requires joint aspiration or operative biopsy. Successful outcomes require expert orthopedic surgical management and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Treatment should be individualized according to the specific pathogen and clinical circumstances.