<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Periprosthetic joint infection is the most common reason for a failed TKA, with a septic TKA reported rate of 1 to 4% of primary TKA patients. Septic TKA has a various number of treatment options which include chronic-suppressive antibiotics, irrigation and debridement, single or staged revision arthroplasty. The goal is to eradicate the periprosthetic joint infection and reimplant a sterile and fully functional total knee prosthesis. In case the infection becomes uncontrollable, there is only one option to eradicate the infection: knee arthrodesis or above-knee amputation.We report the case of a 63-year-old patient who in 2009 underwent TKA, the 1 year follow-up showed periprosthetic infection. At first stage, the prosthetic implants were removed and a solid cement spacer was shaped to occupy the remaining space. In 2011, after achieving complete clinical and biological remission of the infection, the cement spacer was removed and LCCK revision prosthesis was inserted.In 2013 reinfection occurred leading to removal of the prosthetic implants and reinsertion of an antibiotic impregnated cement spacer.Since the patient suffered significant bone loss and the local conditions were unfavorable, being prone to infection, there were 2 options to evaluate: knee arthrodesis or above knee amputation. We chose knee arthrodesis using Ilizarov external fixation technique.Many surgical techniques are available to achieve knee arthrodesis: internal fixation with plates or intramedullary nails and external fixation. The Ilizarov method is a very effective technique that could be taken into consideration when knee arthrodesis is required.</abstract>

Periprosthetic joint infection is the most common reason for a failed TKA, with a septic TKA reported rate of 1 to 4% of primary TKA patients. Septic TKA has a various number of treatment options which include chronic-suppressive antibiotics, irrigation and debridement, single or staged revision arthroplasty. The goal is to eradicate the periprosthetic joint infection and reimplant a sterile and fully functional total knee prosthesis. In case the infection becomes uncontrollable, there is only one option to eradicate the infection: knee arthrodesis or above-knee amputation.We report the case of a 63-year-old patient who in 2009 underwent TKA, the 1 year follow-up showed periprosthetic infection. At first stage, the prosthetic implants were removed and a solid cement spacer was shaped to occupy the remaining space. In 2011, after achieving complete clinical and biological remission of the infection, the cement spacer was removed and LCCK revision prosthesis was inserted.In 2013 reinfection occurred leading to removal of the prosthetic implants and reinsertion of an antibiotic impregnated cement spacer.Since the patient suffered significant bone loss and the local conditions were unfavorable, being prone to infection, there were 2 options to evaluate: knee arthrodesis or above knee amputation. We chose knee arthrodesis using Ilizarov external fixation technique.Many surgical techniques are available to achieve knee arthrodesis: internal fixation with plates or intramedullary nails and external fixation. The Ilizarov method is a very effective technique that could be taken into consideration when knee arthrodesis is required.

Knee arthrodesis as a salvage method for septic TKA failure

University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Carol Davila”

Romanian Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Knee arthrodesis as a salvage method for septic TKA failure"}

Periprosthetic joint infection is the most common reason for a failed TKA, with a septic TKA reported rate of 1 to 4% of primary TKA patients. Septic TKA has a...

Knee arthrodesis as a salvage method for septic TKA failure

Published Online: Jun 13, 2019

Page range: 3 - 8

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rojost-2019-0002

Keywords
Knee arthrodesis, Ilizarov frame salvage method, Septic TKA

© 2019 Traian Ciobanu et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Knee arthrodesis as a salvage method for septic TKA failure

Published Online: Jun 13, 2019

Page range: 3 - 8

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rojost-2019-0002

KeywordsKnee arthrodesis, Ilizarov frame salvage method, Septic TKA

© 2019 Traian Ciobanu et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Knee arthrodesis, Ilizarov frame salvage method, Septic TKA