The serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level, as well as the synovial fluid white blood-cell count with differential, are commonly used tests for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection; however, their utility for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection in patients with inflammatory arthritis is unknown.
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, and synovial fluid white blood-cell count with differential are useful for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection in patients with inflammatory as well as noninflammatory arthritis, with similar optimal cutoff values and overall testing performance. The synovial fluid white blood-cell count and differential performed the best for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection. Physicians evaluating patients with a failed or painful total hip or knee arthroplasty should not assume that elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, and synovial fluid white blood-cell count with differential is secondary to inflammatory arthropathy; rather, elevation of these markers may indicate periprosthetic joint infection, and further evaluation for infection is warranted.
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The serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level, as well as the synovial fluid white blood-cell count with differential, are commonly used tests for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection; however, their utility for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection in patients with inflammatory arthritis is unknown.
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, and synovial fluid white blood-cell count with differential are useful for diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection in patients with inflammatory as well as noninflammatory arthritis, with similar optimal cutoff values and overall testing performance. The synovial fluid white blood-cell count and differential performed the best for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection. Physicians evaluating patients with a failed or painful total hip or knee arthroplasty should not assume that elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, and synovial fluid white blood-cell count with differential is secondary to inflammatory arthropathy; rather, elevation of these markers may indicate periprosthetic joint infection, and further evaluation for infection is warranted.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.