Articles | Volume 11, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-207-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-207-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Review
| 
09 Apr 2026
Review |
| 09 Apr 2026
| 09 Apr 2026
Is there a role for lavage aspiration after a dry tap in the work-up for potential periprosthetic joint infection? A systematic review
Sander Bruyninckx
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
Stijn Ghijselings
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
Institute for Orthopaedic Research and Training (IORT), KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
Melissa Depypere
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
Alex Soriano
Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERINF, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08036, Spain
Willem-Jan Metsemakers
Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
Georges Vles
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
Institute for Orthopaedic Research and Training (IORT), KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
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Willem-Jan Metsemakers, Austin T. Fragomen, Mario Morgenstern, Steffen B. Rosslenbroich, Stephen M. Quinnan, Pablo S. Corona, Mitchell Bernstein, and Kevin Tetsworth
J. Bone Joint Infect., 11, 191–206, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-191-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-191-2026, 2026
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Segmental bone loss remains a major challenge, often worsened by fracture-related infection (FRI). Surgical debridement and tissue cultures are key initial steps. Bone transport, utilizing distraction osteogenesis, remains a key therapeutic strategy. Innovations like integrated fixation and motorized nails reduce patient morbidity. Management relies on a multidisciplinary approach. This review explores current and emerging concepts in the field of bone transport, focusing on FRI.
Melissa Depypere, Jonathan Sliepen, Jolien Onsea, Yves Debaveye, T. Fintan Moriarty, Elena Della Bella, Emmanuel André, Johan Van Weyenbergh, and Willem-Jan Metsemakers
J. Bone Joint Infect., 11, 161–173, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-161-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-161-2026, 2026
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The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to investigate host immune gene expression through transcriptome profiling in patients with fracture-related infection and to explore the feasibility of detecting 16S rRNA and biofilm-associated genes, an approach not previously applied using this method. This technique revealed distinct immune activation patterns in fracture-related infection (FRI) and enabled the identification of pathogens that were missed by conventional culture techniques.
Niels Vanvelk, Esther M. M. Van Lieshout, Leendert H. T. Nugteren, A. Cornelis Plaisier, Rosalya Van der Pot, Corine Bethlehem, Willem-Jan Metsemakers, William T. Obremskey, and Michael H. J. Verhofstad
J. Bone Joint Infect., 11, 95–103, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-95-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-95-2026, 2026
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Although local antibiotic administration is used to prevent and treat fracture-related infections, concerns remain about systemic absorption and potential renal toxicity. This study assessed serum levels and renal function after local gentamicin or vancomycin use. Gentamicin exceeded the lower limit of quantification in 17% of cases but remained below toxic levels. Vancomycin was undetectable. These findings suggest that local antibiotic administration does not harm renal function.
Ernesto Muñoz-Mahamud, Melissa Rivera, Ana Belén Larque, Laura Morata, Andrés Combalia, Alfonso Alías, Jenaro Ángel Fernández-Valencia, and Álex Soriano
J. Bone Joint Infect., 11, 43–52, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-43-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-43-2026, 2026
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Several factors have been linked to failure in chronic prosthetic joint infection revisions. We hypothesize that osteomyelitis in septic hip revisions is underestimated and may significantly impact outcomes. In this series, 30.8 % of septic revisions exhibited bone samples consistent with osteitis, mainly associated with prolonged unsuccessful surgical and antibiotic treatments, the presence of a sinus tract, and subsequent failure after implant removal.
Benjamin R. Paul, David G. Deckey, Alex Soriano, Andy Miller, and Thorsten M. Seyler
J. Bone Joint Infect., 10, 525–541, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-525-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-525-2025, 2025
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A total of 51 studies were reviewed to compare the alpha-defensin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the lateral flow test for diagnosing joint replacement infections. Both tests are highly specific and accurately confirm infection, but ELISA showed greater sensitivity (87.8 % vs. 81.8 %), making it better for detection. These findings support the continued use of ELISA as the preferred diagnostic method.
Laura Bessems, Jolien Onsea, Baixing Chen, Marjan Wouthuyzen-Bakker, Irene K. Sigmund, Tristan Ferry, Richard Kuehl, Martin Clauss, Alex Soriano, Ricardo Sousa, Annette Schuermans, and Willem-Jan Metsemakers
J. Bone Joint Infect., 10, 489–500, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-489-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-489-2025, 2025
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Isolation of patients with musculoskeletal infections in orthopedic care is controversial. Evidence supports selective isolation for certain resistant pathogens but not for non-resistant pathogens, nor does it support the routine use of septic wards. Effective infection control depends on hospital-wide strategies and adherence to standard precautions, with specialized centres offering better care than dedicated isolation units.
Jonathan Sliepen, Michelle A. S. Buijs, Jolien Onsea, Geertje A. M. Govaert, Frank F. A. IJpma, Jean-Paul P. M. de Vries, Bart C. H. Van der Wal, Charalampos Zalavras, and Willem-Jan Metsemakers
J. Bone Joint Infect., 10, 347–361, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-347-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-347-2025, 2025
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This review assessed the effectiveness of single- and two-stage procedures for treating long-bone fracture-related infections, focusing on unhealed fractures without critical-sized bone defects. A total of 35 studies with 985 patients showed bone-healing rates of 80% for single-stage procedures and 77% for two-stage procedures. Infection eradication rates were 87% for single-stage approaches and 81% for two-stage approaches. The current evidence is inconclusive and lacks sufficient data to favor either approach.
Ann-Sophie Jacob, Jolien Onsea, Laura Bessems, Pauline Spoormans, Georges Vles, Willem-Jan Metsemakers, Sien Ombelet, and Melissa Depypere
J. Bone Joint Infect., 10, 317–326, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-317-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-317-2025, 2025
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Fracture-related infections (FRIs) and periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) fail to recover pathogens, posing a diagnostic challenge and impacting treatment. This new method involves homogenising biopsies with beads to release bacteria, followed by inoculation in blood culture bottles using an automated system. This technique shows similar sensitivity to conventional methods, with improved specificity and faster pathogen detection. To date, no other studies have reported an optimized method for incubating biopsies from patients with FRIs.
Marta Sabater-Martos, Laura Morata, Josep Maria Segur, Alex Soriano, and Juan Carlos Martínez-Pastor
J. Bone Joint Infect., 10, 237–241, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-237-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-237-2025, 2025
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This study's aim was to analyse the healing and failure rates of one-stage knee replacement in patients with positive and negative preoperative cultures and sinus presence. We concluded that culture-negative infections or the presence of a sinus tract showed similar results compared to patients that had undergone the same procedure with positive cultures or spared soft tissue.
Hendrika M. Schenk, Marine Sebillotte, Jose Lomas, Adrian Taylor, Eva Benavent, Oscar Murillo, Marta Fernandez-Sampedro, Kaisa Huotari, Craig Aboltins, Rihard Trebse, Alex Soriano, Marjan Wouthuyzen-Bakker, and on behalf of the ESCMID Study Group on Implant Associated Infections (ESGIAI)
J. Bone Joint Infect., 10, 217–224, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-217-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-217-2025, 2025
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Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a high treatment failure rate when faced with a late acute periprosthetic joint infection. Because of the rarity of the condition, we performed a multicenter case-control study. We identified predictors of treatment failure to ultimately improve the treatment outcome. Exchange of modular components seems important in this patient group, likely due to a higher rate of positive blood cultures compared to control patients.
Irene K. Sigmund, Marjan Wouthuyzen-Bakker, Tristan Ferry, Willem-Jan Metsemakers, Martin Clauss, Alex Soriano, Rihard Trebse, and Ricardo Sousa
J. Bone Joint Infect., 10, 139–142, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-139-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-139-2025, 2025
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This is a summary of our position paper on debridement, antimicrobial therapy, and implant retention (DAIR) procedures as a curative treatment strategy for acute periprosthetic hip and knee infections. It includes the defined indications as well as the contraindications of DAIR procedures when eradication/cure is intended, based on the currently available literature.
Irene K. Sigmund, Tristan Ferry, Ricardo Sousa, Alex Soriano, Willem-Jan Metsemakers, Martin Clauss, Rihard Trebse, and Marjan Wouthuyzen-Bakker
J. Bone Joint Infect., 10, 101–138, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-101-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-101-2025, 2025
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In this paper, we discuss the most relevant factors influencing the outcome and define indications, contraindications, and risk factors of a DAIR procedure based on the currently available literature. Furthermore, we discuss the surgical technique in combination with systemic antimicrobial therapy in patients undergoing a DAIR procedure.
Marta Sabater-Martos, Oscar Garcia, Laia Boadas, Laura Morata, Alex Soriano, and Juan Carlos Martínez-Pastor
J. Bone Joint Infect., 10, 41–49, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-41-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-41-2025, 2025
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This is a retrospective diagnostic study in acute postoperative prosthetic joint infection in total knee arthroplasty that wants to determine diagnostic accuracy of synovial glucose and serum-to-synovial glucose ratio in acute postoperative infection. Both tests demonstrated good diagnostic potential. Notably, these biomarkers exhibited superior accuracy compared to the combination of C-reactive protein, synovial white blood cell count and polymorphonuclear percentage.
Baixing Chen, T. Fintan Moriarty, Hans Steenackers, Georges F. Vles, Jolien Onsea, Thijs Vackier, Isabel Spriet, Rob Lavigne, R. Geoff Richards, and Willem-Jan Metsemakers
J. Bone Joint Infect., 9, 249–260, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-249-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-249-2024, 2024
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Our research explores natural antimicrobials to combat orthopedic-device-related infections, a challenging issue due to antibiotic resistance. We reviewed agents from bacteria, fungi, viruses, animals, plants and minerals, evaluating their effectiveness and synergy with traditional antibiotics. Our findings suggest these natural alternatives could revolutionize infection management in orthopedic patients, offering new hope for reducing antibiotic resistance and improving treatment outcomes.
Laia Boadas-Gironès, Marta Sabater-Martos, Marc Ferrer-Banus, Àlex Soriano-Viladomiu, and Juan Carlos Martínez-Pastor
J. Bone Joint Infect., 9, 241–248, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-241-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-241-2024, 2024
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When acute soft tissue defects are present after knee arthroplasty, the infection risk is high. A gastrocnemius flap is used for anterior defects, and it is not usually combined with debridement surgery unless infection is clear. We examined the benefit of combining coverage treatment with debridement surgery, DAIR, comparing the isolated traditional coverage treatment. The results suggested a higher healing rate in the combined treatment, so we recommended it.
Seung-Jae Yoon, Paul C. Jutte, Alex Soriano, Ricardo Sousa, Wierd P. Zijlstra, and Marjan Wouthuyzen-Bakker
J. Bone Joint Infect., 9, 231–239, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-231-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-231-2024, 2024
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This study validated three models for predicting infection after hip and knee replacement surgery. By analyzing data from 2684 patients in the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, we found that the models developed by Tan, Del Toro, and Bülow effectively identified high-risk patients. These models can be used to enhance preoperative counseling and to tailor infection prevention measures individually, potentially improving outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
Fred Ruythooren, Stijn Ghijselings, Melissa Depypere, Willem-Jan Metsemakers, Liesbet Henckaerts, Nathalie Noppe, and Georges Vles
J. Bone Joint Infect., 9, 167–171, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-167-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-167-2024, 2024
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The article examines a unique case of Ureaplasma urealyticum causing osteomyelitis in the greater trochanter of a 26-year-old male treated with ocrelizumab for multiple sclerosis. It emphasizes the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach and advanced PCR diagnostics to manage such rare opportunistic infections effectively, highlighting the challenges faced due to the immunosuppressive nature of monoclonal antibody therapies of this kind.
Jordi Cools, Stijn Ghijselings, Fred Ruythooren, Sander Jentjens, Nathalie Noppe, Willem-Jan Metsemakers, and Georges Vles
J. Bone Joint Infect., 9, 27–35, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-27-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-27-2024, 2024
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Septic arthritis (SA) of the native adult hip is a rare orthopaedic emergency. To date, the role of advanced imaging has been confined to supporting or opposing diagnosis; however, implications for surgical decision-making and outcomes have not yet been established. We found that extra-articular abscesses are present in two out of three patients and require varying anatomical approaches. Therefore, we recommend routinely performing advanced imaging in all adults with SA of the native hip joint.
Marta Sabater-Martos, Marc Ferrer, Laura Morata, Alex Soriano, and Juan Carlos Martínez-Pastor
J. Bone Joint Infect., 9, 17–26, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-17-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-9-17-2024, 2024
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This is a meta-analysis of six studies describing the cutoff values of white blood cell count and polymorphonuclear percentage in synovial fluid for the diagnosis of acute postoperative peri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI).
We found that both the WBC count and PMN percentage are good markers for diagnosis of acute postoperative PJI. However, the synovial WBC count is more powerful in diagnosing acute postoperative PJI.
We found that both the WBC count and PMN percentage are good markers for diagnosis of acute postoperative PJI. However, the synovial WBC count is more powerful in diagnosing acute postoperative PJI.
Fred Ruythooren, Stijn Ghijselings, Jordi Cools, Melissa Depypere, Paul De Munter, Willem-Jan Metsemakers, and Georges Vles
J. Bone Joint Infect., 8, 209–218, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-8-209-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-8-209-2023, 2023
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A total of 41 patients who underwent surgical treatment for septic arthritis (SA) of the native hip were studied. We show that patients with SA of the native hip can be divided in three distinct clinical subgroups based on route of infection. Route of infection is directly related to the chance of femoral head preservation and should, therefore, be the basis for decision-making. Only patients with blood-borne infections in an undamaged hip had a reasonable chance of femoral head preservation.
Niels Vanvelk, Esther M. M. Van Lieshout, Jolien Onsea, Jonathan Sliepen, Geertje Govaert, Frank F. A. IJpma, Melissa Depypere, Jamie Ferguson, Martin McNally, William T. Obremskey, Charalampos Zalavras, Michael H. J. Verhofstad, and Willem-Jan Metsemakers
J. Bone Joint Infect., 8, 133–142, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-8-133-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-8-133-2023, 2023
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This international retrospective cohort study displays the diagnostic characteristics of 609 patients who were treated for fracture-related infection (FRI). Clinical confirmatory criteria were present in 77% of patients. In the remaining patients, the decision to operatively collect deep tissue cultures had to be based on a set of suggestive criteria. The combined use of these suggestive criteria should guide treating physicians in the management pathway of FRI.
Christen Ravn, Jeroen Neyt, Natividad Benito, Miguel Araújo Abreu, Yvonne Achermann, Svetlana Bozhkova, Liselotte Coorevits, Matteo Carlo Ferrari, Karianne Wiger Gammelsrud, Ulf-Joachim Gerlach, Efthymia Giannitsioti, Martin Gottliebsen, Nis Pedersen Jørgensen, Tomislav Madjarevic, Leonard Marais, Aditya Menon, Dirk Jan Moojen, Markus Pääkkönen, Marko Pokorn, Daniel Pérez-Prieto, Nora Renz, Jesús Saavedra-Lozano, Marta Sabater-Martos, Parham Sendi, Staffan Tevell, Charles Vogely, Alex Soriano, and the SANJO guideline group
J. Bone Joint Infect., 8, 29–37, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-8-29-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-8-29-2023, 2023
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Management of septic arthritis in native joints (SANJO) is often conducted by clinicians of different specialties, experience levels, and at all hours of the day. The SANJO guideline group makes evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, microbiological investigation, initial surgery, empirical antibiotic treatment, early mobilization, evaluation of outcomes, and treatment failure. Special considerations were made for children, tuberculosis, and SANJO after cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Efthymia Giannitsioti, Mauro José Salles, Andreas Mavrogenis, Dolors Rodriguez-Pardo, Ibai Los-Arcos, Alba Ribera, Javier Ariza, María Dolores del Toro, Sophie Nguyen, Eric Senneville, Eric Bonnet, Monica Chan, Maria Bruna Pasticci, Sabine Petersdorf, Natividad Benito, Nuala O' Connell, Antonio Blanco García, Gábor Skaliczki, Pierre Tattevin, Zeliha Kocak Tufan, Nikolaos Pantazis, Panayiotis D. Megaloikonomos, Panayiotis Papagelopoulos, Alejandro Soriano, Antonios Papadopoulos, and the ESGIAI collaborators study group
J. Bone Joint Infect., 7, 279–288, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-7-279-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-7-279-2022, 2022
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Our multicentre study on a lower-limb osteosynthesis-associated infection (OAI) cohort by multidrug (MDR) and extensively drug (XDR) resistant Gram-negative bacteria found the following: implant retention with debridement was mostly performed in early OAI; 50.9 % of patients achieved remission of infection; remission reached 50 % (MDR) vs. 25 % (XDR) in early OAI and 60 % (MDR) vs. 44.4 % (XDR) in late OAI; age (> 60) and multiple surgeries were independent factors influencing lack of remission.
Ernesto Muñoz-Mahamud, Eduard Tornero, José A. Estrada, Jenaro A. Fernández-Valencia, Juan C. Martínez-Pastor, and Álex Soriano
J. Bone Joint Infect., 7, 109–115, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-7-109-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-7-109-2022, 2022
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A patient with normal D-dimer value has a low risk of prosthetic joint infection, so serum D-dimer assessment should always be considered as a useful test to rule out chronic prosthetic joint infection (especially in those cases caused by low-virulence microorganisms in which conventional tests may lead to misdiagnosis). Conversely, the platelet count to mean platelet volume ratio may be of limited value for accurately diagnosing prosthetic joint infection.
Karel-Jan Dag François Lensen, Rosa Escudero-Sanchez, Javier Cobo, Rihard Trebše, Camelia Gubavu, Sara Tedeschi, Jose M. Lomas, Cedric Arvieux, Dolors Rodriguez-Pardo, Massimo Fantoni, Maria Jose Garcia Pais, Francisco Jover, Mauro José Costa Salles, Ignacio Sancho, Marta Fernandez Sampedro, Alex Soriano, Marjan Wouthuyzen-Bakker, and ESCMID Study Group of Implant Associated Infections (ESGIAI)
J. Bone Joint Infect., 6, 313–319, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-6-313-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-6-313-2021, 2021
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Our data suggest that, in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) patients with a draining sinus, suppressive antibiotic treatment (SAT) can be considered on an individual basis. SAT may reduce pain and favour the closure of the sinus tract in certain individuals, but the prescription of SAT does not appear to have any influence on the prevention of prosthetic loosening and other infectious complications.
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Short summary
When infection around an artificial hip or knee is suspected, joint fluid sampling is essential but often unsuccessful. We performed a systematic review to evaluate whether rinsing the joint with sterile salt water after an unsuccessful attempt improves diagnosis. Our findings show that this approach is safe, yields testable fluid in nearly all cases, and identifies infection in about one in five patients that would otherwise be missed.
When infection around an artificial hip or knee is suspected, joint fluid sampling is...
