2004/01/01 by J. S. Coste, J. Coste, S. Reig +7 · 2 citations
Medicine · #Orthopedic Infections and Treatments #Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation #Shoulder Injury and Treatment
paper · doi:10.1302/0301-620x.86b1.14089
openalex publication_date 2004/01/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
The management and outcome of treatment in 42 patients (49 shoulders) with an infected shoulder prosthesis was reviewed in a retrospective multicentre study of 2343 prostheses. The factors which were analysed included the primary diagnosis, the delay between the diagnosis of infection and treatment and the type of treatment. Treatment was considered to be successful in 30 patients (71%). Previous surgery and radiotherapy were identified as risk factors for the development of infection. All patients with an infected prosthesis had pain and limitation of movement and 88% showed radiological loosening. In 50% of the shoulders, the antibiotics chosen and the length of treatment were considered not to be optimal. The mean follow-up was 34 months. Antibiotics or debridement alone were ineffective. In acute infection, immediate revision with excision of all infected tissue and exchange of the prosthesis with appropriate antibiotic therapy gave the best results. Multidisciplinary collaboration is recommended.