Fracture-related infection (FRI) is defined as the infection of the osseous tissue contacting the implant with or without infection of the surrounding soft tissue following implantation of the fracture device, resulting from contamination of the pathogens and/or compromised immunity of the host. It’s estimated that the average incidence of this disease is 5%, with approximately 1% and over 30% after closed and open fractures. Currently, FRI remains to be one of the most challenging and catastrophic disorders for both clinicians and patients, not only for its long disease course, a high rate of infection recurrence, with great risk of disability, both physically and psychologically, but also for its heavy economic burden, both personally and socially.

How to lower the morbidity, increase the cure rate, decrease the disability risk, and improve the life quality of the patients is of great significance. To achieve this goal, more basic studies should be performed to explore the pathogenesis of the disease. In addition, epidemiological surveys should be conducted to help clinicians better understand the clinical features, morbidity, mortality, risk factors, and healthcare cost of this disorder. Moreover, clinical investigations are also essential for early and accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this disease and its sequels.

The aim of this Special Issue is to solicit original research articles covering current concepts and investigations regarding the fundamental science, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of FRI. Review articles discussing the state of the art are also welcome.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Fundamental research including animal models, biofilm studies, genetics and epigenetics, proteomics, novel materials, and relevant pathogenesis mechanisms
• Epidemiological studies, including but not limited to clinical features, morbidity, mortality, risk factors, and healthcare cost
• New insights into early and accurate diagnosis, especially for novel biomarkers, imaging tests, and microbiological and histological investigations
• Updates on personalised and optimised treatments such as systemic and local antibiotic strategies techniques to solve large bone defects and soft tissue defects
• Expert consensus guidelines and current reviews on FRI