Infection in the Orthopaedic Patient

This book attempts to bring together contributions from leading world experts, who review and discuss every aspect of infection in orthopaedics from bacteriological principles to specific infections such as tuberculosis. Infection remains a potential hazard for every orthopaedic patient. Many complications of orthopaedic surgery are being overcome especially those of a mechanical nature. Multiple resistant organisms are becoming widespread, and with such virulent pathogens the relative importance of infection becomes ever greater. Meticulous attention to operative practice, cleaner hospital environments and more sophisticated antibiotic therapy all help to reduce the problem. Unfortunately, total elimination of infection is impossible, but surgeons still need to know the modern ways in which the risk of infection may be reduced. In this volume, many of the world's leading specialists describe their experiences of the problem. They systematically review every aspect of the topic, bacteriological principles, diagnosis and assessment, and the surgical management of established sepsis, among other topics.