To identify the organisms causing delayed deep infection following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to compare the differences in outcome based on the infecting organism.
Between the period April 1998 and March 2004 inclusive, patients presenting with delayed deep infection following primary TKA and/or those who underwent a salvage procedure (amputation or arthodesis) were retrospectively studied.
Organisms were isolated in 27 patients; 44% were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. When the organism was resistant, the mean number of surgical procedures per patient was significantly higher and the proportion of patients with satisfactory outcomes was significantly lower.
Deep infection with methicillin-resistant S. aureus or S. epidermidis is increasing. Strict infection control measures must be in place to combat such problems.