title: Periprosthetic low-grade hip infections. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in 23 cases.
abstract: We followed 23 patients from the primary total hip arthroplasty to revision for a bacteriologically proven deep infection with a low virulent organism. The median time to revision was 14 (4-65) months. During this period, the maximum ESR value was median 50 (22-110) mm and the maximum CRP value was 35 (9-95) mg/L. 25 of the 98 CRP values recorded were normal (< 9 mg/L) and 22/89 ESR values were below 30 mm/h. In 6 patients, all CRP values were below 20 mg/L, but 5 of these patients had an ESR > 30 mm. Before the revision, normal values for both tests were found in only 1 patient. Both normal values and slight-to-moderate increases in ESR and/or CRP are consistent with a low-grade periprosthetic hip infection. We recommend that ESR should be determined preoperatively in all patients scheduled for total hip replacement to establish a baseline.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanzén
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sundberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001168:Arthritis / Q000601:surgery; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000097:blood*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein