A 73-year-old woman presents to a Sydney ED, triage category 2, 4 weeks after total knee replacement. She has fever, knee swelling, wound drainage

Question

A 73-year-old woman presents to a Sydney ED, triage category 2, 4 weeks after total knee replacement. She has fever, knee swelling, wound drainage and inability to weight-bear. CRP is 220 mg/L and X-ray shows no fracture. What is the most appropriate disposition?

Accepted Answer

Admit under orthopaedics for operative and antimicrobial planning

Answer

Provide compression sleeve alone

Answer

Perform steroid injection and discharge

Answer

Discharge with oral analgesia

Answer

Refer to outpatient physiotherapy

Prosthetic joint infection — ACEM Fellowship MCQ

A 73-year-old woman presents to a Sydney ED, triage category 2, 4 weeks after total knee replacement. She has fever, knee swelling, wound drainage and inability to weight-bear. CRP is 220 mg/L and X-ray shows no fracture. What is the most appropriate disposition?