title: [Periprosthetic joint infections - a review for general practitioners].
abstract: The number of prosthetic joint implantation is continuously increasing. Periprosthetic joint infection is a rare but serious complication. The correct diagnosis is essential for successful treatment. It requires the close collaboration between general practitioners, orthopaedic surgeons and infectious disease specialists. A delayed diagnosis sets hurdles to the medical and surgical treatment. Also, antimicrobial treatment without proper microbiological sampling must be avoided. Swabs from wounds are not helpful, because the results represent the skin flora, but not the causative pathogen of infection. The general practitioner is the first physician that patients contact and has, therefore, a central role in diagnosing and managing periprosthetic joint infections. In this review, classification, diagnostic means and treatment concepts of periprosthetic joint infections are presented.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Kantonsspital Liestal und Universitätsklinik für Infektiologie, Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern. parham.sendi@ifik.unibe.ch
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sendi
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zumstein
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zimmerli
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003646:Debridement; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D012086:Reoperation; D013557:Switzerland
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents