Algorithm for the evaluation of the painful total shoulder arthroplasty: Searching for sepsis

One of the most serious complications after shoulder arthroplasty is periprosthetic joint infection. The reported incidence after primary procedures ranges from 0.7% to 4%, and the rates after revision surgery are even higher. Data on periprosthetic joint infection are derived in large part from the reported experience in managing infection at the sites of total knee and total hip arthroplasties; there is much less information available with which to guide decision making for the shoulder. This review focuses specifically on the current and future tools for diagnosing periprosthetic infections after shoulder arthroplasty.