A chronic periprosthetic infection with attendant failure of the knee
extensor mechanism is one of the most disastrous outcome following total knee
arthroplasty and knee arthrodesis may be the last possible option treatment
with the exception lover limb amputated. The aim of this study is to
represent the results to achieve knee arhrodesis in patients with chronically
septic total knee arhroplasty. In our retrospective study we reviewed the
clinical record of 27 patients who were treated with Ilizarov circular
external fixator for this condition. Male to female ratio was 13:14. Main age
of the patients was 62,3 years. We used Cierny-Mader classification for the
clinical and pathoanatomical assessment. For the assessment of the bone
defect we used Engh classification. Complete union we had in 22(81,4%)
patients. Mean time for healing was 5,7 months, range (3-15). Mean residual
limb shortness was 4,7 cm and mean follow-up was 21 months. We also had a
five nonunion (18,6%) complications: three with septic intrarticular
nonunion, two had intolerance to the Ilizarov apparatus, so we removed
earlier. The Ilizarov circular external fixator provides us a high rate of
bone healing and low risk of septic dissemination in patients with infected
total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
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