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.

A simulated large joint model has been established to help better understand the elution mechanics of antimicrobial agents and the devices used to deliver them to a large human joint. This model is unique to previously published models in that it more accurately represents the environment of a large human joint. The model was employed to evaluate four brands of commercial medical-grade calcium sulfate. These products were evaluated in both an unaltered state and when mixed with antibiotics.

We describe 48 osteocutaneous-flap-related osteomyelitis cases, mostly presenting with early, local signs of infection and/or bone exposure. Main pathogens were Gram-negative bacilli, streptococci, S. aureus, enterococci, and anaerobes, justifying a broad-spectrum empirical antimicrobial therapy. Despite surgery and a 3-month antimicrobial therapy, a 50 % failure rate was recorded, associated with a delayed infectious disease specialist referral and advocating for multidisciplinary management.