  Fibronectin, a glycoprotein secreted by connective tissue cells is found in
the human plasma as well as in the ECM. It is known to have an adhesive
property and plays a role in cell-to-cell and cell-to-substratum adhesions. In
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), fibronectin is locally
synthesized by the synovial cells, and the synovial fluid level of fibronectin
is found to be double that in plasma. The concentration of fibronectin in the
synovial fluid under such conditions is found escalate to 2-3 times higher than
in the corresponding plasma. The present article demonstrates that the protein
has a strong tendency to get adsorbed on biomaterials after an implant surgery
in preference to lighter proteins like albumin, which in turn enhances the
growth of robust biofilms. The present article demonstrates that, heightened
risk of dangerous implant infections due to the formation of such biofilms
coupled with the degrading immunity levels of the geriatric patients have the
potential to transform an implant surgery to a 'life threatening' event.
