This study explores a solution for patients who suffer a fracture-related infection of the talus following complex ankle injuries. We treated three patients using a two-stage procedure that removes the damaged bone and stabilizes the ankle with a retrograde nail and tantalum spacers. After 3 years, the results showed no relapse of infection, good alignment, and improved quality of life with minimal pain. This approach offers hope for challenging cases where treatment options are limited.

We studied a serious double infection affecting the heart and spine, often seen in older or immunocompromised patients. By analyzing systematic data from the literature, we found that this condition leads to high death rates, especially when caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Our work highlights the urgent need for higher-quality studies and better coordinated care. These findings may help guide future treatment strategies and improve outcomes for affected patients.

The novel multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR), BioFire® Joint Infection Panel (BF-JIP; bioMérieux, Marcy-l’Étoile, France), demonstrated similar diagnostic accuracy to conventional synovial fluid culture and can therefore serve as a valuable adjunct in diagnosing septic arthritis in adults, particularly in patients with prior antimicrobial therapy.

Patients with bone and joint infections are often sent home before all test results are final. We created a new team-based process to review these results after discharge and take action if needed. In over one-third of cases, changes to treatment were made, some of which prevented serious harm. This approach improves patient safety and shows how teamwork and follow-up after hospital stays can make a meaningful difference in care.

The rising rate of spinal surgeries has led to more postoperative infections, yet no standardized diagnostic criteria exist. We analyzed over 100 studies and found considerable variation in definitions. Our findings underscore the need for a unified diagnostic framework that integrates clinical signs, laboratory data, and imaging to enhance diagnostic accuracy, support clinical decision-making, and improve consistency in future research.

Periprosthetic joint infection  (PJI) is a serious complication of oncologic joint reconstructions with large endoprosthetics. Although the microbiology of PJI in conventional joint replacements is well characterized, it is lacking for oncologic patients. This study found that the microbiology of oncologic PJI is distinct from conventional joint replacement PJI and that microbiology varies in different cancer subpopulations. These findings will help improve targeted antibiotic treatment for PJI.

This study looked at infections in people with prosthetic joints and found that a type of bacteria called anaerobes is often overlooked but causes more infections than expected, especially in the shoulder. These infections tend to last longer and present differently compared to typical ones. The findings suggest that doctors should always check for anaerobic bacteria when diagnosing joint infections, especially when symptoms are long-lasting or involve the shoulder.