Bridging the Diagnostic Gap: Enhancing Orthopedic Infection Management through Laboratory Diagnostics in Nepal.

Orthopedic infections, including implant-associated infections, periprosthetic joint infections, and osteoarticular tuberculosis, pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges globally. In Nepal, limited laboratory facilities outside major cities often lead to empirical treatment, resulting in delayed diagnosis, inappropriate use of antibiotics and rising antimicrobial resistance. This viewpoint indicates the importance of integrating microbiological diagnostics into orthopedic practice in resource limited settings. It highlights key laboratory tools, outlines the barriers to their effective use, and proposes locally adaptable strategies to improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment outcomes, and antibiotic stewardship in orthopedic infection care.