DOES INTRAARTICULAR STEROID INFILTRATION INCREASE RATE OF INFECTION IN SUBSEQUENT TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENTS?
R. Sreekumar; A. S. Desai; T. N. Board; and V. V. Raut Wrightington Hospital, Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan WN6 9EP. Aims & Objectives: To assess whether the incidence of infection in Primary Total knee Arthroplasty is increased as a result of previous steroid infiltration into the knee joint. Introduction: Steroid injection into the arthritic joint is a well-known modality of treatment of the arthritic joints. Its efficacy is well documented. Increased incidence of Infection secondary to steroid injection as compared to uninjected joints is reported in recent literature. Material & Methods: 440 patients underwent Total Knee replacement (PFC SIGMA-Depuy) by senior author during 1997–2005 at Wrightington hospital. 90 patients had intraarticular steroid injection prior to surgery of which 45 patients had injection with in 1 year prior to surgery. All patients had at least one year follow up. Infection rate was assessed by case note, x-rays and microbiology review till last follow up.18
