Two-Year Outcome of Early Deep MRSA Infections After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

The aim of this study is to determine the success rate in eradication of early methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prosthetic joint infection. Rate of prosthesis retention and functional outcome between patients with prosthesis retention and prosthesis revision were compared. All patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty between May 1998 and September 2008 at our institution developing early deep MRSA infection were included. Patient demographics, time from infection to initial arthrotomy, successful eradication of infection and functional outcome of patients with a knee prosthesis at 2 years were studied. Open arthrotomy, debridement, and change of liner successfully treated 33.3% of infections. All remaining infections went onto treatment with 2-stage revision with a success rate of 88%. Overall 92% of patients had a well-functioning knee prosthesis at 2 years.