Charnley Low-friction Arthroplasty in Patients with Psoriasis

Abstract

A retrospective study of 38 patients with established psoriasis treated by 55 Charnley low-friction arthroplasties showed a superficial infection rate of 9.1% and a deep infection rate of 5.5%. All of the operations were carried out in the Charnley clean-air enclosure, without prophylactic antibiotic therapy. The incidence of postoperative sepsis in psoriatic patients was significantly higher than in patients with osteoarthritis (p < 0.001) and rheumatoid arthritis (p < 0.05). Hence, prophylactic antibiotic therapy appears beneficial in psoriatic patients.