Patients who have arthroscopic surgery on any joint are at increased risk for infection. Those who have joint replacements could be in danger of implant failure from infection. The use of antibiotics to prevent infection is called prophylaxis. Prophylactic use of antibiotics is a form of “defensive medicine.”
The over use of antibiotics has led to bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Should everyone get antibiotics to keep this from happening?
In this report, Dr. P. R. Kurzweil from the Southern California Center for Sports Medicine offers his opinions about the use of antibiotics for arthroscopic surgery. His arguments are all in favor of prophylactic antibiotics. He gives the following reasons:
problems such as diabetes, immune disorders, or skin problems
Some experts argue against the routine use of antibiotics. For one thing it’s expensive. And the actual risk of infection with arthroscopic surgery is very low. Patients are exposed to something they may be allergic to or that could result in resistant bacteria if an infection does occur.
Prophylactic antibiotics don’t prevent all infections but they do reduce the risk. The author advises use whenever any incision is made no matter how small. It’s less expensive to give everyone a prophylactic antiobiotic than to treat the small number of patients with infection using intravenous antibiotics.