PJI

Medical abbreviation · Musculoskeletal & Rheumatology

PJI
Stands forPeriprosthetic joint infection
CategoriesMedical

PJI stands for Periprosthetic joint infection, a musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviation.

Infection involving a joint replacement and surrounding tissue, among the most serious complications of arthroplasty, occurring after about 1–2 percent of primary procedures. Early infections may be treated by debridement with implant retention, while chronic ones often require removal and staged reimplantation.

Example: Draining sinus over TKA, synovial WBC 42,000, culture S. epidermidis: PJI, two-stage revision.

Usage notes

Diagnosis uses criteria from the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS), first published in 2011 and updated in 2018. The common shorthand DAIR stands for debridement, antibiotics and implant retention. Cutibacterium acnes is a frequent cause in shoulder replacements. Antibiotic-loaded cement spacers are used between stages.

More musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviations

  • NOF – Neck of femur (fracture)
  • OA – Osteoarthritis
  • OCD – Osteochondritis dissecans
  • OI – Osteogenesis imperfecta
  • ORIF – Open reduction and internal fixation
  • PFPS – Patellofemoral pain syndrome
  • PM – Polymyositis
  • PMR – Polymyalgia rheumatica
  • PRP – Platelet-rich plasma
  • PsA – Psoriatic arthritis
  • RA – Rheumatoid arthritis
  • RCT – Rotator cuff tear

See all 71 musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.