Authors: Luiz S. Marcelino Gomes, Noam Shohat, Sergio S. Zullo, Gilberto A. Pereira

RECOMMENDATION: A painful prosthetic joint is the most sensitive, but least specific clinical finding in PJIs. Signs of deep tissue involvement (i.e., sinus tract, purulence, abscess and extensive necrosis) are the most specific signs. It is important to note that clinical findings diff er notably based on the type of joint involved (hip or knee), as well as to the timing and presentation of PJIs (i.e., early postoperative, acute hematogenous and chronic).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Moderate

DELEGATE VOTE: Agree: 97%, Disagree: 1%, Abstain: 2% (Unanimous, Strongest Consensus)

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