Methicillin-resistant Infection After Hip and Knee Replacement: Reason to Change Practice?

Abstract

Infection after a primary total-joint replacement can be devastating. If the infecting organism is methicillin resistant, the chance of successful eradication of the infection is considerably decreased. What is more concerning is that these organisms are becoming increasingly common in periprosthetic joint infection. We have reviewed the literature and have outlined the effectiveness of single- and two-stage treatment regimens for this difficult problem. We have also looked at the screening and decolonisation methods that have been implemented in an attempt to decrease the risk of surgical site infections. Lastly, we outline our recommendations on how we should tackle this emerging and difficult problem that is affecting the orthopaedic world.

Keywords

• hip-knee replacement
• methicillin-resistant infection