Implant retention with long-term antibiotic suppression

Patients with an arthroplasty device infection who are not fit for surgery with curative intent, or in whom extensive revision surgery is not technically feasible, may be considered for treatment with long-term suppressive antibiotic therapy—seek expert advice.

In this approach to managing arthroplasty device infection, intravenous antibiotic therapy is required only until the patient is clinically improving, and then a switch to oral therapy can occur; well-tolerated oral antibiotics should be used. Oral therapy is continued long-term, with regular specialist review.