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Distinguishing aseptic joint failure from prosthetic joint infection (PJI) can be difficult. Previous studies have suggested that serum biomarkers of inflammation might be useful in this regard. To examine this possibility further, investigators in Germany studied patients undergoing revision arthroplasty of hip, knee, or shoulder prostheses (N=98). Individuals with underlying conditions associated with inflammation were excluded. Whether a patient had aseptic joint failure, low-grade PJI, or high-grade PJI was determined postoperatively using established criteria.
Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly lower in the 57 patients with aseptic joint failure than in the 20 with low-grade PJI or the 21 with high-grade…