National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Prosthetic joint infection


Other Names:
PJI; Knee replacement infection; Artificial joint infection; PJI; Knee replacement infection; Artificial joint infection; Joint replacement infection See More
Subtypes:
A prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a rare complication of joint replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty.  Arthroplasty is done to help relieve pain and restore function in a severely diseased joint, such as a knee, hip or shoulder.  Approximately 0.5 to 1 percent of people with replacement joints develop a PJI.  Infections can occur early in the course of recovery from joint replacement surgery (within the first two months) or much later.  Signs and symptoms of PJI include fever, chills, drainage from the surgical site, and increasing redness, tenderness, swelling and pain of the affected joint.  Prosthetic joint infections are often hard to treat because of the development of a structure called a biofilm within the joint. A biofilm develops when bacteria adhere to the solid surface of the artificial joint. The biofilm can act as a kind of shield to some of the bacteria, making it difficult for the bacteria to be found and destroyed by the body's defenses or by antibiotic medications. An infected joint replacement usually requires surgery to remove the artificial parts and potent antibiotics to kill the bacteria. [1][2][3][4]
Last updated: 12/12/2013

The resources below provide information about treatment options for this condition. If you have questions about which treatment is right for you, talk to your healthcare professional.

Management Guidelines

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Prosthetic joint infection. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has information on Prosthetic joint infection. Click on the link above to view this information page.
  • The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. Click on the link to view information on this topic.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.

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  1. Berbari, E.; La Baddour, L.. Treatment of Prosthetic Joint Infections. UpToDate. September 19, 2013; http://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-prosthetic-joint-infections. Accessed 12/12/2013.
  2. Osteomyelitis. Mayo Clinic. November 20, 2012; http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteomyelitis/DS00759. Accessed 12/12/2013.
  3. Bone Infections. MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/boneinfections.html. Accessed 12/12/2013.
  4. Joint Replacement Surgery: Information for Multiclutural Communities. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. October 2012; http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Joint_Replacement/default.asp. Accessed 12/12/2013.