Articles | Volume 11, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-651-2026
© 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-11-651-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Beyond the binary description of sinus tracts in periprosthetic joint infection
Irene K. Sigmund
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Marjan Wouthuyzen-Bakker
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
Tristan Ferry
Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
Ricardo Sousa
Porto Bone Infection Group (GRIP), Orthopaedic Department, ULS Santo António, Porto, Portugal
Daniel Pérez-Prieto
Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Alex Soriano
Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
CIBERNIF, Ciber in Infectious Diseases, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
Volker Alt
Department for Trauma Surgery and Regensburg University Center for Muskuloskeletal Infections, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
Willem J. Metsemakers
Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Martin Clauss
Center for Musculoskeletal Infections (ZMSI), Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Rihard Trebse
Orthopaedic Hospital Valdoltra, Ankaran, Slovenia
Latest update: 16 Oct 2026
Short summary
Sinus tracts are currently classified as present or absent in PJI definitions. Although appropriate for diagnosis, this binary approach does not reflect the considerable heterogeneity encountered in clinical practice. This Viewpoint highlights characteristics that may determine sinus tract complexity and proposes a framework for future standardized characterization to better inform surgical decision-making and treatment outcomes.
Sinus tracts are currently classified as present or absent in PJI definitions. Although...