Perioperative Management of Hepatitis C in Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty.

»: A small yet growing subset of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) candidates are diagnosed with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is a known risk factor for periprosthetic joint infections. Given the poor outcomes associated with TJA infection, we recommend that candidates with HCV receive treatment prior to elective TJA.
»: Interferon and ribavirin have historically been the standard treatment regimen for the management of HCV; however, adverse events and an inconsistent viral response have limited the efficacy of these therapies. The advent of direct-acting antivirals has resolved many of the issues associated with interferon and ribavirin regimens.
»: Despite the success of direct-acting antivirals, there are still barriers to seeking treatment for TJA candidates with HCV. Many patients are faced with financial burdens, as insurance coverage of direct-acting antiviral therapies is inconsistent and varies by the patient's state of residence and specific treatment regimen.
»: TJA candidates with HCV present health-care providers with a unique set of challenges, often encompassing economic, psychosocial, and complex medical concerns. Multidisciplinary care teams can be beneficial when caring for and optimizing this patient cohort.
»: Management of HCV prior to elective TJA is associated with higher up-front costs but ultimately reduces long-term patient morbidity as well as associated direct and indirect health-care expenditures.
Competing Interests: Disclosure: The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (http://links.lww.com/JBJSREV/A774).
(Copyright © 2021 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated.)