Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI)
Incidence and Global Impact
PJI is responsible for 33% of all revision surgeries following Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) and Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), making it the leading cause of joint implant failure requiring revision procedures. This statistic underscores the profound burden PJI places on patients and healthcare systems.
While PJI affects approximately 1% to 2% of patients undergoing joint replacement surgeries, its disproportionate impact on revision rates highlights the severity of the condition. In the United States, over 1 million TKA and THA procedures are performed annually, and infection remains one of the most challenging complications in joint arthroplasty. Similar trends are observed across Europe, where PJI continues to drive a significant portion of revision surgeries, posing both clinical and economic challenges.
Mortality and Long-term Outcomes
PJI is not only associated with prolonged hospital stays and increased healthcare costs but also carries a significant risk of mortality. Studies indicate that patients with PJI in the hip or knee face a mortality risk 2 to 4 times higher than those with non-infected joint replacements. The risk underscores the critical need for early intervention and tailored treatment strategies.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Intraoperative Contamination: Bacteria introduced during surgery despite sterile protocols.
- Hematogenous Spread: Bacteria traveling from remote infections, such as dental abscesses or skin infections.
- Medical Conditions: Diabetes, obesity, and weakened immune systems.
- Surgical Factors: Extended operative time or prior joint infections.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking and malnutrition.
Symptoms of PJI
Common signs of PJI include:
- Persistent joint pain or stiffness.
- Swelling, redness, and warmth around the surgical site.
- Drainage from the wound.
- Systemic symptoms like fever, chills, or night sweats.
Diagnosis of Prosthetic Joint Infection
Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment. Diagnostic methods for PJI include:
- Blood Tests: Elevated levels of inflammatory markers such as CRP and ESR suggest infection.
- Synovial Fluid Analysis: Aspiration of the joint fluid can help detect elevated white blood cell counts or identify causative organisms through culture.
- Biomarker Testing: Novel diagnostic tools like Lyfstone® Calprotectin offer rapid point-of-care testing for PJI, providing results within minutes.
- Imaging Studies: X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans can identify structural changes or abscess formation.
Treatment Options for PJI
The treatment approach depends on the severity and duration of the infection:
- Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention (DAIR): Suitable for early infections when the prosthesis remains stable.
- Revision Surgery: One-stage or two-stage revision arthroplasty may be required for chronic or severe infections.
- Long-term Antibiotic Therapy: Tailored to the specific pathogen, this may accompany surgical treatment.
Why Early Detection Matters
Early diagnosis and appropriate management of PJI are essential to preserve joint function, improve patient outcomes, and reduce mortality risks. Advanced diagnostic tools and standardized treatment protocols are key to tackling this complex condition.
References
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Gehrke T, Alijanipour P, Parvizi J. The management of an infected total knee arthroplasty. Bone Joint J. 2015 Oct;97-B(10 Suppl A):20-9. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.97B10.36475. PMID: 26430083.
McNally M, Sigmund I, Hotchen A, Sousa R. Making the diagnosis in prosthetic joint infection: a European view. EFORT Open Rev. 2023 May 9;8(5):253-263. doi: 10.1530/EOR-23-0044. PMID: 37158373; PMCID: PMC10233812.
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Ayoade F, Li D, Mabrouk A, et al. Periprosthetic Joint Infection. [Updated 2023 Oct 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448131/
van Veghel MHW, van Steenbergen LN, Wertheim HFL, van der Kooi TII, Schreurs BW, Hannink G. Early Periprosthetic Joint Infections in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Microorganisms, Mortality, and Implant Survival Using a Combined Dataset From the Dutch Arthroplasty Register and the Dutch National Nosocomial Surveillance Network. J Arthroplasty. 2025 Jan;40(1):208-213.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2024.07.019. Epub 2024 Jul 16. PMID: 39025275.
Reinhard J, Lang S, Walter N, Schindler M, Bärtl S, Szymski D, Alt V, Rupp M. In-hospital mortality of patients with periprosthetic joint infection. Bone Jt Open. 2024 Apr 26;5(4):367-373. doi: 10.1302/2633-1462.54.BJO-2023-0162.R1. PMID: 38663864; PMCID: PMC11045279.
Mundi R, Pincus D, Schemitsch E, Ekhtiari S, Paterson JM, Chaudhry H, Leis JA, Redelmeier DA, Ravi B. Association Between Periprosthetic Joint Infection and Mortality Following Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2024 Sep 4;106(17):1546-1552. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.23.01160. Epub 2024 May 9. PMID: 38723055.
Xu Y, Huang TB, Schuetz MA, Choong PFM. Mortality, patient-reported outcome measures, and the health economic burden of prosthetic joint infection. EFORT Open Rev. 2023 Sep 1;8(9):690-697. doi: 10.1530/EOR-23-0078. PMID: 37655835; PMCID: PMC10548306.
Gundtoft PH, Pedersen AB, Varnum C, Overgaard S. Increased Mortality After Prosthetic Joint Infection in Primary THA. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017 Nov;475(11):2623-2631. doi: 10.1007/s11999-017-5289-6. Epub 2017 Feb 24. PMID: 28236084; PMCID: PMC5638726.
Thompson O, W-Dahl A, Stefánsdóttir A. Increased short- and long-term mortality amongst patients with early periprosthetic knee joint infection. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Dec 6;23(1):1069. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-06024-y. PMID: 36474195; PMCID: PMC9724335.
Shahi A, Tan TL, Chen AF, Maltenfort MG, Parvizi J. In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With Periprosthetic Joint Infection. J Arthroplasty. 2017 Mar;32(3):948-952.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2016.09.027. Epub 2016 Sep 30. PMID: 27816369.
Kurtz SM, Lau EC, Son MS, Chang ET, Zimmerli W, Parvizi J. Are We Winning or Losing the Battle With Periprosthetic Joint Infection: Trends in Periprosthetic Joint Infection and Mortality Risk for the Medicare Population. J Arthroplasty. 2018 Oct;33(10):3238-3245. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2018.05.042. Epub 2018 Jun 1. PMID: 29914821.
Canadian Institute for Health Information. Top reasons for early hip and knee revisions.
https://www.cihi.ca/en/top-reasons-for-early-hip-and-knee-revisions
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