Analgesic-loaded uhmwpe can improve the efficacy of antibacterial therapy for prosthetic joint infections

Abstract

Statement of Purpose: Total joint arthroplasty is often associated with two major complications: post-operative pain and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Previously we showed that ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) bearing surfaces can be used for local delivery of drugs(1). Given that some analgesics possess antibacterial properties(2), it is possible to use analgesiceluting UHMWPE in multimodal antibacterial therapy against PJI. Current clinical approaches to treat PJI involve local administration of various antibiotics such as gentamicin, tobramycin, and vancomycin. Here, we study the potential combinatorial effects of bupivacaine-eluting UHMWPE with gentamicin, a commonly used antibiotic to treat PJI, against Staphylococcus aureus – a pathogen very commonly associated with PJI