antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with prosthetic joints

Addendum (May 2009)

In February 2009, the AAOS updated their recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis for bacteremia in patients with joint replacements. Their new 2009 statement is available at http://aaos.org/about/papers/advistmt/1033.asp. A summary of how the 2009 recommendations differ from the 2003 ADA/AAOS statement is available at http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/antibiotic.asp.

The new guidelines to prevent endocarditis are raising questions about antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with prosthetic joints.