A Complete Guide to DAIR DAIR stands for Debridement, Antibiotics, and Implant Retention. It is a specialized, patient-friendly surgical strategy used by orthopedic surgeons to treat a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI)—a serious complication where bacteria infect the tissue surrounding an artificial joint replacement.
Unlike traditional multi-stage revision surgeries that completely remove and replace an artificial hip or knee, DAIR aims to eradicate the infection while keeping the existing, well-fixed artificial implant in place. This guide breaks down how the procedure works, who qualifies for it, and what to expect during recovery. The Three Core Components of DAIR
The acronym outlines exactly how the treatment fights deep joint infections:
Debridement: This is a meticulous surgical cleaning. The surgeon opens the joint to radically remove infected tissue, inflamed joint linings (synovectomy), and the invisible bacterial “biofilm” that adheres to plastic and metal surfaces.
Antibiotics: Once the joint is physically cleaned, targeted, high-dose antibiotics are administered intravenously and orally over several weeks to kill any remaining bacteria.
Implant Retention: The primary metal or ceramic components anchored to the patient’s bone are left completely untouched, preserving the patient’s bone stock and avoiding a highly invasive replacement surgery. Who is a Candidate for DAIR?
DAIR is highly time-sensitive and is not suitable for every joint infection. Surgeons typically follow strict guidelines to ensure a high probability of success:
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