Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Marta Sabater to Lecture on Early Detection of Knee Prosthesis Infections Using Synovial Glucose

Dr. Marta Sabater i Martos, an orthopaedic surgeon and traumatologist at Barcelona's Hospital Clínic and Barnaclínic+, will deliver a free public lecture this evening at 8pm at Andorra la Vella's Centre Cultural La Llacuna.

The event, titled "Infection after a knee prosthesis: can we detect it earlier? The role of synovial glucose," focuses on recent research into using synovial fluid glucose levels as a simple, low-cost diagnostic tool. The method involves analysing joint fluid obtained via puncture—a technique not previously applied specifically to prosthetic infections. Dr. Sabater noted that it offers an accessible way to achieve early diagnosis, enabling quicker identification of infections.

Timely detection is critical, as it can prevent the need for major procedures like full prosthesis replacement and allow less invasive options, such as surgical debridement. Knee prosthesis infections remain one of the most serious complications from these increasingly common trauma surgeries. Synovial glucose analysis is still an emerging field, advanced by studies at institutions including Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and Tarragona's Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII.

The lecture forms part of the 42nd Conference Cycle 2026, which this year also marks the 50th anniversary of Hannah Arendt's death and the 850th anniversary of the Second Concordat of the Andorrans. Open to everyone, it will appeal to healthcare professionals and anyone interested in medical research advances.