title: Orthopaedic infections.
abstract: Patients with orthopaedic infections may require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Necrotizing fasciitis and clostridial myonecrosis (gas gangrene) are serious soft tissue infections that may cause life-threatening complications. Patients suffering from infectious arthritis, osteomyelitis, or prosthetic joint infections may be seen in the ICU as a result of a previous injury, surgery, or delayed infectious processes. This article introduces the ICU nurse to the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of a variety of orthopaedic infections.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Redfield
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000451:nursing*; D005738:Gas Gangrene / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D016530:Orthopedic Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000451:nursing*