Anti-TNF-alpha therapy as a clinical intervention for periprosthetic osteolysis

Aseptic loosening of total joint arthroplastics due to periprosthetic osteo lysis is a frequent cause of implant failure. The absence of clinical inter ventions to arrest or prevent this complication limits the use of total joi nt replacement especially in younger patients. Here we review recent studie s implicating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in periprosthetic osteolysi s and the rationale for clinical studies of anti-TNF therapy and other inte rventions for periprosthetic loosening.