Orthopaedic joint replacement and spinal stabilisation surgery have provided pain relief and functional improvement for millions. Postoperative infections involving implanted hardware can have devastating functional, emotional and financial consequences. Implementation of relevant preoperative patient preparation, utilisation of appropriate prophylactic antimicrobials and intraoperative infection control measures have combined to diminish the frequency of orthopaedic implant infections significantly. Our ability to establish the presence of an implant-related infection with certainty is not as well advanced.
Similarly, treatment guidelines, while useful, remain somewhat anecdotal. The pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnosis, management and prevention of hip arthroplasty infection and spinal stabilisation with instrumentation infection are reviewed.
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The author(s) declare there are no affiliations with or involvement in any organisation or entity with any financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
