Novel antimicrobial surfaces for orthopaedic applications

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This research project addresses a serious challenge in orthopaedic surgery: the prosthetic joint infections. Artificial joints have been extensively used to treat joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, with ~50,000 total hip and knee replacement procedures in Canada and over half a million in US annually. The overall infection rate could reach up to 2% for primary joint replacements, and up to 6% for knee revision procedures. Infection also accounts for at least 14% of the total implant failure. Patients having prosthetic joint infections would suffer from progressive joint pain and have significantly high levels of morbidity and mortality. Infection prevention through antibiotic prophylaxis is one approach but the necessary long term exposure can lead to antibiotic resistance. Seeking novel anti-infection solutions for implants has become one of the top priorities for orthopaedic surgery teams including the one at UBC.