title: [Review of infected total arthroplasties of the hip and knee--apropos of 28 cases].
abstract: This study is a long-term analysis of a group of patients with infected arthroplasties of the hip or the knee. We identified 28 patients with an infected arthroplasty (22 hips, 6 knees) documented by bacterial culture or on direct examination. At the time of diagnosis and on follow-up (a mean of 46 months after treatment) we evaluated the clinical picture, the radiological appearances of the articulation and the biological parameters. 19/28 patients showed a typical clinical picture, whereas in 9 others the picture was more doubtful. The treatments were 14 two-stage replacements of the arthroplasties, 7 simple resections, 5 conservative treatments and 2 one-stage replacements. On follow-up, 25 patients were considered as cured of their infection and 3 as failures. From a functional viewpoint, 9 patients showed no limitation, whereas 19 were limited in the daily activity. Half of the patients had no pain. Radiology showed that 20/26 evaluated patients had no signs of recurrence. Paraclinical examinations are important in the diagnosis of persistent low grade infections, particularly the demonstration of bacteria by pre-surgical sampling (fine needle aspiration, culture from draining sinuses). In spite of the cure of infection, the functional and painful sequellae are often considerable. As a result of our experience, we recommend a two-stage surgical procedure. Only when the general condition of the patient is poor, or when the infection is not under control, would we envisage an alternative procedure (arthrodesis, girdelstone, conservative).
authors.affiliation: Service d'Orthopédie et de Traumatologie de l'Appareil Moteur, Hôpital Orthopédique de la Suisse Romande, Lausanne.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cometta
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Blanc
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Leyvraz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation