Joint replacement is a highly effective intervention that significantly improves patients’ quality of life, providing symptom relief, restoration of joint function, improved mobility, and independence. Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains one of the most serious complications of prosthetic joint implantation. The cumulative incidence of PJI among the approximately 1 000 000 primary total hip arthroplasties and total knee arthroplasties performed in the United States in 2009 is approximately 1%–2% over the lifetime of the prosthetic joint, depending on the type of prosthesis and whether the surgery is a primary or revision procedure. The number of PJI is likely to increase: It is projected that by the year 2030, approximately 4 million THAs and TKAs will be performed per year in the United States.

The diagnosis of PJI can be difficult and utilizes many different diagnostic modalities including serologic, radiographic, and microbiologic diagnostic tests. The management of PJI often necessitates the need for surgical interventions and prolonged courses of intravenous and oral antimicrobial therapy.

Despite a significant amount of basic and clinical research in this field, many questions pertaining to the optimal diagnostic strategies and management of these infections remain unanswered.

The primary focus of this meeting will be to provide a consensus statement that addresses selected current controversies in the diagnosis and treatment of infections involving prosthetic joints. An essential component of this therapeutic approach is the strong collaboration between all involved medical and surgical specialists (eg, orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, general internists).