Can a sprinkle of powder and a wash stop joint infections?

NCT ID NCT04075526

First seen Jan 09, 2026 · Last updated Jun 21, 2026 · Updated 28 times

Summary

This study tested whether adding vancomycin powder and a diluted povidone iodine wash during joint replacement surgery could prevent infections in high-risk patients. Over 2,100 adults with osteoarthritis who were at higher risk due to factors like obesity or smoking took part. The goal was to see if these simple steps could lower the chance of a serious infection around the new joint.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Boston Medical Center

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, United States

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

  • Centura Health

    Denver, Colorado, 80210, United States

  • Cleveland Clinic Florida

    Weston, Florida, 33331, United States

  • Cleveland Clinic Ohio

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States

  • Columbia

    New York, New York, 10036, United States

  • Eisenhower Health

    Rancho Mirage, California, 92270, United States

  • Hospital for Special Surgery

    New York, New York, 10021, United States

  • Mount Sinai Hospital

    New York, New York, 10029, United States

  • New England Baptist Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02120, United States

  • New York University Dept of Orthopedic Surgery

    New York, New York, 10003, United States

  • Rush University Medical Center

    Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States

  • St. Francis Hospital

    Roslyn, New York, 11576, United States

  • The Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey

    Sparta, New Jersey, 07871, United States

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

vancomycin powder and povidone iodine solution

What this could lead to

If successful, this could lead to a simple, low-cost way to reduce serious infections after joint replacement surgery.

What could go wrong

This is an early-phase study, so the results are not yet conclusive. The treatments may not reduce infection risk or could cause side effects like allergic reactions.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

osteoarthritis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.