Advancing the management of prosthetic joint infections: a review of randomized controlled trials and emerging evidence.

Abstract

Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) remain among the most devastating complications in orthopedic surgery, with increasing incidence paralleling the growth in arthroplasty procedures worldwide. While treatment protocols are well-established, evidence supporting current approaches is lacking, and outcomes remain suboptimal, highlighting the need for improved therapeutic strategies. The objective of this study is to review ongoing and recently completed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating novel approaches to PJI prevention and treatment. We searched PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for RCTs that focused on PJI management, and that are ongoing or completed within the 6 months preceding February 28, 2025. We included investigator-initiated trials, studies of novel therapeutic agents, and studies on infection prevention strategies. We extracted and reviewed data regarding trial design, interventions, and outcomes. We identified significant advances in three key areas: (i) investigator-initiated trials exploring optimization of current surgical and antimicrobial treatment strategies, including the ROADMAP adaptive platform trial (ii); novel therapeutic agents, including engineered antibacterial peptides, monoclonal antibodies, and new-generation antibiotics specifically targeting biofilm-associated infections; and (iii) prevention strategies, particularly focusing on perioperative antibiotic protocols. Recent trials demonstrate promising approaches to reducing antibiotic exposure while maintaining efficacy, novel mechanisms for biofilm disruption, and strategies for optimizing perioperative prophylaxis. Investigator-initiated trials like ROADMAP and SOLARIO are challenging traditional paradigms, particularly in antibiotic duration, while novel therapeutics targeting biofilm through various mechanisms show promise in early-phase trials. Future research should prioritize cost-effectiveness analyses, targeted studies for specific patient subgroups, and evaluation of combination therapeutic approaches.