What is the role for serum erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), or white blood cell (WBC) count in the evaluation of a shoulder arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI)?

Authors: Akin Cil, Richard Page, Gokhan Karademir, James Beazley, Nicola Luppino
RECOMMENDATION: Serum ESR, CRP or WBC count have poor sensitivity for the diagnosis of shoulder PJI. Although they should be obtained as part of a standard workup for infection, normal values do not rule out infection.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Limited
DELEGATE VOTE: Agree: 96%, Disagree: 4%, Abstain: 0% (Unanimous, Strongest Consensus)