Evaluation and treatment of the infected shoulder arthroplasty.

Infection after shoulder arthroplasty remains one of the most common postoperative complications. Treatment options range from debridement, appropriate antibiotic regimen, and retaining the implant to resection arthroplasty in the elderly medically challenged patient. We review the diagnostic challenges and treatment options for periprosthetic infections involving the shoulder. It appears that early detection, isolation of the infecting organism, and aggressive debridement with appropriate antibiotic treatment is the most important component of a successful treatment program designed to eradicate the infection. This early treatment which in most cases is combined with a two-stage approach (with an interim antibiotic spacer) provides the best opportunity to obtain a reasonably painless and functional shoulder arthroplasty.