New Definition for Periprosthetic Joint Infection

I can recall many occasions when I have been caught by surprise in evaluation of a patient with painful joint arthroplasty. Many occasions when pain attributed to a cause other than infection was found to be due to infection indeed. The latter scenario is unfortunately not infrequent. The recent guidelines developed by the workgroup convened by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons for diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) stresses the importance of performing screening tests (serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein) on every patient presenting with a painful prosthetic joint. It highlights the fact that PJI often presents with subtle sign and symptoms and may be easy to miss. I have noted how implementation of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons guidelines has impacted my practice positively.