Total joint replacement surgeries can help relieve joint pain common in people with conditions like osteoarthritis. But sometimes, the debris from prosthetic joints leads to aseptic loosening, or disintegration of surrounding bones. In 2009, a Wayne State University researcher determined that the anti-inflammatory antibiotic erythromycin can prevent and treat such disintegration, however, there are side effects associated with long-term usage of erythromycin. Weiping Ren, associate professor of biomedical engineering in WSU's College of Engineering, has found a solution. Erythromycin can be administered directly at the site of bone breakdown, rather than orally, so the whole body is not affected. The details of Ren's study are published in the August 2011 issue of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/08/09/wayne-state-researcher-finds-possible-help-for-bone-wear/
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20110810/Erythromycin-can-prevent-and-treat-aseptic-loosening-of-total-joint-replacement.aspx