Kyung Hee University Hospital
2020. 5. 21
50% of Surgical Patients with Septic Shoulder Arthritis Require Reoperation
Professor Sung-Min Rhee’s team at Kyung Hee University Hospital has established a new classification system for diagnosing septic shoulder arthritis. This new system was published in the April issue of the prestigious orthopedic journal, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS, IF=4.716).
The paper titled "The Prognostic Value of a Novel Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Classification for Septic Arthritis of the Shoulder" introduces this new classification system and analyzes its impact on post-surgery prognosis.
Currently, the recurrence rate of septic shoulder arthritis can be over 50%, and reoperation is often required when recurrence occurs. However, the outcomes of these surgeries are not always favorable, making pre-surgical planning and post-operative management crucial. Previously, the classification system did not allow for differentiation before surgery, and the extent of infection could only be assessed during surgery using arthroscopy.
To address this gap, Professor Rhee’s team developed and analyzed a classification system based on pre-surgical X-ray and MRI images from 31 patients who underwent arthroscopic lavage. They identified five distinct categories, finding that the higher the classification stage, the higher the recurrence rate. A total of 54.8% (17 patients) of the cases experienced reinfection, and the patients with the highest stage, where the infection reached the bone, all had recurrences.
Professor Rhee explained, "This study was conducted to overcome the limitations of previous systems that made it impossible to create systematic surgical plans. By analyzing pre-surgical imaging, we can identify patients with a high risk of reinfection and adjust our surgical approach—such as opting for open surgery instead of arthroscopy to thoroughly clean the joint. This will help minimize reoperation and promote faster recovery. We will continue to apply and refine these findings in clinical practice."
Source: Kyung Hee University Hospital, May 19
Source: Kyung Hee University Hospital, Professor Sung-Min Rhee's Team Establishes New Classification System for Diagnosing Septic Shoulder Arthritis (05/19)
Author: Kyung Hee University Hospital