Review
IMPACT OF KNEE ARTHROSCOPY ON PROSTHETIC JOINT INFECTION IN ELECTIVE TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
1 Vita-Salute University, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
2 IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
Correspondence to:
IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele,
Via Olgettina 60,
20132, Milan, Italy
Journal of Orthopedics 2025 September-December; 17(3): 146-152
https://doi.org/10.69149/orthopedics/2025v17iss3_10
Received: 28 October 2025 Accepted: 2 December 2025
Copyright © by LAB srl 2025 ISSN 1973-6401 (print) / 3035-2916 (online)
Download PDF
Abstract
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the definitive surgical intervention for advanced joint diseases, aiming to alleviate pain and enhance patient quality of life. However, concerns persist about whether prior knee arthroscopy might elevate the risk of postoperative complications, including surgical site infections (SSIs) and prosthetic joint infections (PJIs), in patients undergoing subsequent arthroplasty. Clarifying this relationship is crucial for optimizing surgical outcomes and guiding clinical decision-making. This systematic review aims to evaluate the evidence regarding the impact of prior arthroscopy on the risk of SSIs and PJIs following knee arthroplasty. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, and other databases in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, identifying 11 studies for inclusion. Most studies reported no statistically significant increase in SSI or PJI risk after arthroplasty in patients with a history of KA. However, some evidence suggests a potential increased risk, particularly when TKA is performed within a shorter interval following KA. The strength of the available evidence is limited by the retrospective nature of the studies, small sample sizes, and methodological variability.
Keywords: knee arthroscopy, prosthetic joint infection, surgical site infection, total knee arthroplasty, total knee replacement