Recent  

Tuberculosis (TB) primarily involves the lungs, but it may spread to other sites including joints. TB arthritis, is relatively rare, but it can result in severe damage to the joint and, ultimately, significant functional impairment. This article reviews the current literature on the topic and identifies key areas where further scientific research is needed to improve the diagnosis and management of the disease.

Cancerous transformation is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of chronic bone infection. As with all forms of cancer, early detection and diagnosis is crucial to outcome.

Whilst there have been over 100 cases of chronic bone infection with cancerous transformation reported in the literature between 1999 and 2020, this is the first case report to document transformation with 20 years of concordant imaging and clinical review.

This study investigates the ability of a promising new antibiotic, dalbavancin, to be used as an antibiotic incorporated into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement or other carriers (such as calcium sulfate) to treat bone and joint infections. For antibiotics to be used locally, they must retain their efficacy after heat exposure during PMMA polymerization and at human core body temperature. This study demonstrates that dalbavancin is stable at the temperatures required for local use.

The antibiotic bead pouch is a useful technique for temporary soft tissue coverage. After the introduction of negative wound pressure therapy, it has fallen into oblivion. However, the technique has several advantages, which are highlighted in the present review article. After debridement, the antibiotic beads deliver high dosages of antibiotics suitable for bone cements. This enables a sterile wound, which might help to avoid either infection or progress of infection.