In response to a request by the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF), the AAHKS Board approved a contribution of $160,000 to fund research into periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).
PJI was identified as a research priority by OREF with input from many stakeholders, as they developed a broad-based agenda in hip and knee arthroplasty. It is a serious complication with an incidence rate of 2.0 % to 2.4%. The challenges of PJI include: its difficulty to diagnose; its ability to present at any time after the initial procedure; the requirement for surgical intervention; and the inconsistent success of treatments. Also, it is expected that the U.S. economic burden of infected revisions will exceed $1.62 billion within the next 6 years. A collaborative grant focusing on this area of orthopaedics will lead to further understanding of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of PJI, and ultimately, the improvement of patients’ lives.
With the funds provided by AAHKS and other donors, OREF will begin soliciting grant applications this fall.
