Extract
A recent analysis of historical procedure data indicated that the
prevalence of primary and revision total hip and total knee arthroplasty
increased steadily between 1990 and
20021. A massive
demand for primary and revision surgeries is also expected in the next two
decades2. Similarly,
the overall incidence of deep infection also has increased substantially
between 1990 and 2003 for both total hip arthroplasty and total knee
arthroplasty3. In
2003, approximately 1.2% of the total hip arthroplasties performed in the
United States were associated with deep infection, which was similar to the
rate seen for total knee
arthroplasties3.
Deep infection is a catastrophic complication of both total hip and total knee
arthroplasty, and it also represents a tremendous economic
burden4,5.
The implications for a growing incidence of infections, coupled with
accelerating demand for arthroplasty, remain unexplored.