Company Focus

Prosthetic Joint & metal implant Infection " Biofilm is the problem"

Millions of arthroplasties are performed worldwide each year. One of the biggest problems of a total joint replacement is a prosthetic joint infection (PJI), which is reported in 1-3% of cases and 9-10% in revisions. This adds up to more than 100.000 cases of PJI worldwide and more than 600.000 including Fracture related infections (FRI). Bacteria on the implant build a layer called the biofilm which can only be treated insufficiently with antibiotics and mechanically by wound irrigation. The consequences are repeated, costly and burdensome irrigation procedures, which may eventually lead to the total replacement of the prosthesis or metal implant. Mortality rate of 45% of the patients, suffering from PJI is published and 17% for FRI in the first year. A devastating complication!