Understanding Antibiotic Treatment Through a Catheter for Joint Infection

Infection after a joint replacement may damage the new joint. This infection often needs several weeks of antibiotic treatment. To help antibiotics work best and most quickly, they are given directly into the joint. This is done through a soft tube called a catheter. The catheter is put into the joint and fixed in place. It remains in the joint until it's no longer needed.

• The surgeon makes a small cut (incision) over the joint.

• The surgeon puts the catheter through the incision into the joint. The catheter is often sewn into place.

• The surgeon sews the skin closed around the catheter.

• Fluids containing antibiotic medicines are sent through the catheter into the joint.

• The catheter stays in place until the infection has been treated and the catheter is no longer needed. The surgeon then removes it during a second procedure.

• Infection

• Bleeding

• Blood clots

• Catheter comes out of the joint and needs to be replaced