Advantages of a MultidisciplinaryTeam in the Treatment of Boneand Joint Infections

Bone and joint infections represent a significant source of morbidity and mortality, often termed a “silent epidemic.” While native infections, such as septic arthritis and osteomyelitis, still persist, surgical site infections related to orthopedic implants have gained particular prominence due to their growing prevalence and complexity. These infections not only lead to substantial patient morbidity and mortality but also create a significant burden on healthcare resources through prolonged hospital stays, multiple surgeries and extended antibiotic therapy. We advocate for the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach in treating bone and joint infections, drawing on the experiences of an existing multidisciplinary team. The integration of orthopedic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, internal medicine professionals and microbiologists enables a more comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic approach, offering tailored surgical and antibiotic strategies based on the specific infection and the patient’s overall circumstances. Based on existing international examples and the experience of the authors, this paper proposes the establishment of a structured multidisciplinary approach in the Portuguese setting to optimize patient care and healthcare resources use.