The erythrocyte sedimentation rate in orthopaedic patients.

The ESR, a sensitive measure of the inflammatory response, is elevated in 90% of patients who have serious orthopedic infections, e.g., discitis, septic arthritis, and hematogenous osteomyelitis. In most cases, it is sufficient to distinguish these entities from the less serious disease states, i.e., transient synovitis. After major surgical operations or extensive trauma, the ESR often increases to high levels and, if sepsis does not supervene, it returns to normal within six months. Outpatient determination of the ESR, although useless in the early detection of malignancy, is valuable in detecting inflammatory arthridities and major sepsis.