New guideline targets total joint infections

Editor's Note

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) have released a new guideline to help reduce postoperative total hip and knee infections through the perioperative management of antirheumatic medications.

Among the recommendations:

• Discontinuing biologic therapy before surgery in patients with inflammatory arthritis.
• Withholding tofacitinib for at least 7 days before surgery in rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients.
• Withholding rituximab and belimumab before surgery in all systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

This is the first time rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons have collaborated to develop recommendations.

Recommendations for Perioperative management of rheumatic disease medications in total joint arthroplasty of the hip and knee.