Background Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of the most challenging complications of total joint arthroplasty (TJI). An early and accurate diagnosis of PJI is associated with better treatment outcomes. However, whether the platelet-related markers and globulin-related markers can be used to assist the diagnosis of PJI remains elusive. Methods A total of 206 patients who underwent revision hip or knee arthroplasty in our institution were divided into two groups: 79 patients in PJI group and 127 patients in aseptic failure group. The levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet-related markers including platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT) and PLT to MPV ratio (PMR) and globulin-related markers such as globulin (GLB), albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) and PLT to AGR ratio were compared. The diagnostic value was measured using area under the curve (AUC) after constructing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The potential of each marker for determining the timing of second-staged reimplantation was also evaluated. Results Significantly increased levels of ESR, CRP, PLT, PCT, PMR, GLB and PLT to AGR ratio were identified in PJI group, while decreased levels of MPV and AGR were also found. The diagnostic values of all platelet-related markers and GLB were considered as fair, and good diagnostic values of AGR and PLT to AGR ratio were found, which were comparable to those of ESR and CRP. The levels of GLB and AGR can also be used to predict negative culture result and the timing of second-stage reimplantation. Conclusions Globulin and albumin to globulin ratio were found to have good diagnostic values for PJI, and they can precisely predict the culture results and persistent infection.

We investigated the diagnostic value of fibrinolytic markers for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), determined their relationship with culture results, and evaluated whether these markers could assess infection control and determine the timing of second-stage reimplantation. Design/methods: This single-center-retrospective study included 206 patients who underwent revision hip or knee arthroplasty (PJI group, n = 79; aseptic loosening [AL] group, n = 127). The plasma levels of fibrinogen, D-dimer, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared, and receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed. Subgroup analysis within the PJI group was also performed. Results: The plasma levels of fibrinogen, D-dimer, ESR, and CRP were significantly lower in the AL group, with an area under the curve of 0.848, 0.669, 0.865, and 0.841, respectively. The plasma level of D-dimer was significantly lower in patients with culture-negative PJI. In patients with residual infection, the levels of all the markers had not significantly changed, while noticeably decreased plasma levels of fibrinogen, ESR, and CRP were detected in patients with successful second-stage reimplantation. Conclusions: Plasma fibrinogen is a promising marker for diagnosing PJI and evaluating persistent infection. Decreased plasma levels of D-dimer in patients with PJI might be linked with negative culture results.

Background Revisions are mainly caused by wear debris-induced aseptic loosening. How to effectively suppress debris-induced periprosthetic osteolysis has become an urgent problem. Both zoledronic acid and teriparatide can increase the bone mass around prostheses and increase the stability of prostheses. A hypothesis was proposed: the combination of the two drugs may have a better treatment effect than the use of either drug alone. Methods We created a rabbit model to study the effect and mechanism of the combination of zoledronic acid and teriparatide in the treatment of aseptic loosening. Thirty-two adult male New Zealand white rabbits were selected and treated with TKA surgery, and a titanium rod prosthesis coated evenly with micrometre-sized titanium debris was implanted into the right femoral medullary cavity. All rabbits were randomized into four groups (control group = 8, zoledronic acid group = 8, teriparatide group = 8, and zoledronic acid + teriparatide group = 8). All the animals were sacrificed in the 12th week, and X-ray analyses, H&E staining, Goldner-Masson trichrome staining, von Kossa staining, and RT-PCR and Western blotting of the mRNA and protein of OCN, OPG, RANKL and TRAP5b in the interface membrane tissues around the prostheses were immediately carried out. Results The results shown that both zoledronic acid and teriparatide could inhibit debris-induced peri-prosthetic osteolysis and promote new bone formation. Zoledronic acid was more capable of inhibiting osteoclast activation and peri-prosthetic osteolysis, while teriparatide was more capable of promoting osteoblast function and peri-prosthetic bone integration. Conclusion This research confirmed that the combination of zoledronic acid and teriparatide could prevent and treat aseptic loosening of the prosthesis more effectively. However, the safety of this combination and the feasibility of long-term application have not been ensured, and the clinical application requires further experiments and clinical research support.

Purpose To compare the effect of vancomycin presoak treatment of grafts during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on the incidence of postoperative infection or septic arthritis. Methods Studies published before May 3, 2022 investigating vancomycin presoak of grafts during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were searched in the PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies were screened, and data on the incidence of postoperative infection or septic arthritis were extracted and included in the analysis. Results Thirteen studies were included for analysis after search screening, yielding a total of 31,150 participants for analysis, of whom 11,437 received graft vancomycin presoak treatment, and 19,713 did not receive treatment. Participants who received vancomycin treatment had significantly lower infection rates (0.09% versus 0.74%; OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.10, 0.30; P < 0.00001). Conclusion Pre-soaking of the graft with vancomycin during ACL reconstruction reduced the incidence of postoperative infection and septic arthritis.

Background Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been a challenge for surgeons. The purpose of this study was to explore the short-to mid-term clinical and radiological outcomes of Chinese patients who underwent revision THA using a new off-the-shelf three-dimensional (3D)-printed trabecular titanium (TT) acetabular cup by comparison with a conventional porous coated titanium acetabular cup, to provide a reference for the recommendation of this prostheses. Methods A retrospective analysis of 57 patients (57 hips) who received revision THA was performed from January 2016 to June 2019. A total of 23 patients received 3D-printed cups (observation group) and 34 patients received non-3D-printed cups (control group). Clinical scores including Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Short Form 36 (SF-36), upward movement of the hip center of rotation(HCOR)and limb-length discrepancy (LLD), stabilization and bone ingrowth of cups were compared between two groups. The multivariate linear regression was used to determine the factors potentially influencing the HHS score. Postoperative complications in the two groups were also recorded. Results All 57 patients were routinely followed up. The average follow-up durations in the control and observation groups were 43.57 ± 13.68 (24–65) months and 41.82 ± 11.44 (24–64) months, respectively (p = 0.618). The postoperative clinical scores significantly improved in both groups compared to the preoperative scores (p < 0.001). The VAS score did not significantly differ between the groups at 3 (p = 0.946) or 12 (p = 0.681) months postoperatively, or at the last follow-up (p = 0.885). The HHS score did not significantly differ between the groups at 3 months (p = 0.378) postoperatively but differed at 12 months (p < 0.001) postoperatively and the last follow-up (p < 0.001). The SF-36 score did not significantly differ between the groups at 3 months (p = 0.289) postoperatively, but was significantly different at 12 months (p < 0.001) postoperatively and the last follow-up (p < 0.001). Compared with the control group, the postoperative recovery of HCOR and LLD was better in the observation group. All cups remained stable, with no loosening throughout the follow-up period. But the observation group had a significantly better rate of bone ingrowth compared to the control group (p = 0.037). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that different cup types, upward movement of the HCOR, and LLD influenced the HHS score at the last follow-up (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, respectively). None of the patients exhibited severe postoperative complications. Conclusion The new off-the-shelf 3D-printed TT acetabular cup demonstrated encouraging short-to mid-term clinical outcomes in Chinese patients. It can effectively relieve pain, improve hip function, provide satisfactory biological fixation and high survival rate. But further follow up is necessary to assess its long-term outcomes.