Second Stage Reimplantation of the Previously Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty: Does Serologic Testing Predict Resolution of Infection?

Two-stage exchange is the gold standard for treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and synovial fluid white blood cell count (WBC) are often used to determine treatment response; however, no prior studies characterize the utility of these serologies. We hypothesize that the values of these tests will demonstrate statistically significant declines in patients in whom infection is successfully eradicated after first stage resection arthroplasty.