DIAGNOSIS OF PROSTHETIC JOINT INFECTION: SONICATION OF JOINT FLUID FROM REMOVED HIP AND KNEE PROSTHESIS VERSUS TRADITIONAL TISSUE CULTURE

Introduction: Joint replacement is a life-enhancing, cost-effective surgical intervention widely used to treat disabling joint pain mainly caused by osteoarthritis. Hip and knee joint replacements are common, highly successful operations bringing many patients relief from pain, and improved mobility. Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) are often difficult to diagnose; diagnosis often relying on a combination of clinical findings, microbiological data and histological evaluation of periprosthetic tissue. The majority of recent studies demonstrate a higher sensitivity for culture of sonication fluid (62-94%) than periprosthetic tissue (55-88%).The Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust provides a specialist multidisciplinary team.