Definition of treatment success and failure in hip and knee Periprosthetic Joint Infections: a scoping review

With a high degree of heterogeneity in parameters defining the outcome, the relevant question arises: how is the success or failure of a treatment in PJI defined? Where do we find heterogeneity: - Following different PJI definitions and classifications - The radiological assessment, the presence of any radiological sign such as implant loosening, may be highly susceptible to a treatment failure. - When it comes to monitoring infection and outcome, a protocolled follow up in PJI patients is rare and with high heterogeneity. The lack of standardized follow up protocols is therefore an important issue and needs a consensus. The lack of a clear definition of outcome parameters obstructs clinicians and researchers from effectively guiding decision-making and assessing treatment success at specific time points.