Editorial

Infectious disease specialists and teamwork strategies worldwide: the World Association against Infection in Orthopedics and Trauma (WAIOT) and SICOT continue to cooperate in fighting musculoskeletal infections

¹ Studio Medico Cecca-Romano – Corso Venezia, 20121 Milano, Italy
² Department of Microbiology, Saint Savvas Oncology Hospital, 115 22 Athens, Greece
³ Department of Orthopaedics, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822, USA
⁴ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery – Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, 920-0293 Kanazawa, Japan
⁵ Zerktouni Orthopaedic Clinic, 20000 Casablanca, Morocco
⁶ Department of Orthopaedics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
⁷ Department of Orthopaedics, British Hospital Buenos Aires, C1280 AEB Buenos Aires, Argentina
⁸ Clinical Microbiology, University of Milan, 20122 Milano, Italy
⁹ First Department of Orthopaedics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 11527 Athens, Greece

^* Corresponding author: afm@otenet.gr

Received: 13 June 2022
Accepted: 27 June 2022

Abstract

Bone and joint infections are associated with a devastating global burden. The successful treatment of these infections requires a multidisciplinary approach between orthopedic surgeons and experts of different disciplines. This multidisciplinary approach has gained ground over the past decades in modern infection units as a more effective treatment strategy, yielding better outcomes regarding infection eradication rates, length of hospital stay, and overall cost of treatments. Additionally, preventing and managing musculoskeletal infections requires strong connections between medical associations, biological laboratories, and the pharmaceutical industry worldwide. In this context, SICOT and World Association against Infection in Orthopaedics and Trauma (WAIOT) relationships have been increasing. The present editorial article discusses the multidisciplinary approach for managing bone and joint infections worldwide, explores the controversies in practices in terms of training, area of expertise, and extent of clinical involvement, and emphasizes the role of societies in research, prevention and management of musculoskeletal infections. The purpose is to acknowledge what orthopedics can obtain from specialists dealing with bone and joint infections and to consolidate their practice to provide the best care for orthopedic patients.