Inferior performance of established and novel serum inflammatory markers in diagnosing periprosthetic joint infections.

Serum CRP and fibrinogen showed the best accuracies among these widely available serum inflammatory parameters. However, due to the insufficient performance, these biomarkers can only be recommended as suggestive criteria in diagnosing PJI. The preoperative workup should always be complemented by more specific tests such as synovial fluid analysis.