Management of Orthopedic Infections

• Septic arthritis is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
• Appropriate management of prosthetic joint infections commonly requires both surgical and antimicrobial therapy.
• Prolonged courses of antibiotics are usually necessary for the treatment of osteomyelitis.

Orthopedic infections, such as septic arthritis, prosthetic joint infections, and osteomyelitis, are often challenging to diagnose and manage. These infections are becoming more common because of an aging population, an increase in prosthetic joints, and prevalence of diabetes. Initially, clinical findings lead to the suspicion of infection. Diagnosis is confirmed based on laboratory, microbiology, and radiographic imaging findings. Management often includes a combination of surgery and prolonged antimicrobial therapy.