Retrospective multicentre study of 2343 shoulder arthroplasties identifying 42 patients (49 shoulders) with deep prosthetic infection, analyzing how infection timing, primary diagnosis, and treatment strategy — from antibiotics alone to two-stage revision — affect infection eradication and functional outcomes measured by Constant score.
When you see a painful, stiff shoulder arthroplasty — even without classic signs of infection — culture it early and act fast: debridement alone fails unless performed within days of symptom onset, and antibiotic therapy without prosthetic exchange rarely eradicates established infection.
For acute infections, expedite surgical revision rather than watching; every month of delay worsens your odds.
Retrospective multicentre study of 2343 shoulder arthroplasties identifying 42 patients (49 shoulders) with deep prosthetic infection, analyzing how infection timing, primary diagnosis, and treatment strategy — from antibiotics alone to two-stage revision — affect infection eradication and functional outcomes measured by Constant score.
When you see a painful, stiff shoulder arthroplasty — even without classic signs of infection — culture it early and act fast: debridement alone fails unless performed within days of symptom onset, and antibiotic therapy without prosthetic exchange rarely eradicates established infection.
For acute infections, expedite surgical revision rather than watching; every month of delay worsens your odds.