![]() Late infections (those that occur months to years after the joint replacement surgery) and infections that have been present for longer periods of time almost always require a staged surgery. Staged surgery. In general, the longer the infection has been present, the harder it is to cure without removing the implant. After the procedure, intravenous (IV) antibiotics are prescribed for approximately 6 weeks.The implant is thoroughly cleaned, and plastic liners or spacers are replaced.During this procedure, called debridement, the surgeon removes all contaminated soft tissues.Infections that go beyond the superficial tissues and gain deep access to the artificial joint almost always require surgical treatment.ĭebridement. Deep infections that are caught early (within several days of their onset), and those that occur within weeks of the original surgery, may sometimes be cured with a surgical washout of the joint. This treatment has a good success rate for early superficial infections. This is called a "superficial infection." If the infection is caught early, your doctor may prescribe intravenous (IV) or oral antibiotics. In some cases, only the skin and soft tissues around the joint are infected, and the infection has not spread deep into the artificial joint itself. Synovasure is a test that looks for a specific protein within the synovial fluid to help detect the presence of an infection. Other technologies, such as Synovasure, may also be used to test the synovial fluid. The fluid may also be tested for specific proteins that are known to be present when there is an infection. ![]() The presence of a large number of white blood cells (particularly cells called neutrophils) indicates that the joint may be infected. In normal hip or knee fluid, there is a low number of white blood cells. The fluid is also analyzed for the presence of white blood cells. There, it is monitored to see if bacteria or fungus grows from the fluid. The fluid is examined under a microscope for the presence of bacteria and is sent to a laboratory. To do this, they use a needle to draw fluid from your hip or knee. If the results of these tests are normal, it is unlikely that your joint is infected.Īdditionally, your doctor will analyze fluid from your joint to help identify an infection. For example, in addition to routine blood tests like a complete blood count (CBC), your surgeon will likely order two blood tests that measure inflammation in your body:Īlthough neither test will confirm the presence of infection, if the CRP and/or ESR are elevated, it raises the suspicion that an infection may be present. Laboratory tests. Specific blood tests can help identify an infection. Imaging tests. X-rays and bone scans can help your doctor determine whether there is an infection in the implants. Your doctor will discuss your medical history and conduct a detailed physical examination. When total joint infection is suspected, early diagnosis and proper treatment increase the chances that you can keep the implants. Madison (WI):University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority c2021.Joint Fluid Analysis. Health Encyclopedia: Uric Acid (Synovial Fluid). Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center c2020. University of Rochester Medical Center.Health Encyclopedia: Hemophilia in Children. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health c2020. UF Health: University of Florida Health.Washington D.C.: American Association for Clinical Chemistry c2001–2020. Jacksonville (FL): The Nemours Foundation c1995–2020. Deerfield (IL): Veritas Health, LLC c1999–2020. Sometimes the excess blood ends up in the synovial fluid. ![]() Hemophilia is an inherited disorder that can cause excessive bleeding.
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