From: Clinical characteristics and risk factors for culture-negative periprosthetic joint infections
The following three parameters provide a definitive diagnosis of elbow PJI | |
A sinus tract that is communicating with the prosthesis | |
Isolation of identical pathogens from two or more separate cultures obtained under sterile conditions | |
Presence of intra-articular pus | |
The following criteria are concerning for infection and should be considered in aggregate | |
Warmth, redness, swelling, of the elbow | |
Elevated serum inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP)—except in cases of inflammatory arthropathies | |
Elevated synovial WBC count | |
Elevated synovial polymorphonuclear percentage | |
Isolation of organism from one sample | |
Histologic evidence of acute inflammation | |
Early unexpected component loosening | |
Endosteal scalloping, rapid progressive loosening on radiographs |