Epidemiology of Prosthetic Joint Infection

While the risk of prosthetic infection in patients undergoing joint arthroplasty is low, the high frequency of these procedures translates these low risks into a substantial burden of infection. Prosthetic joint infections are a devastating complication and are associated with major patient morbidity and healthcare and societal costs. A better knowledge of the risk factors, microbial aetiology and pathogenesis of prosthetic joint infections may help to prevent these dreaded complications.