We performed a prospective study to assess safety and effectiveness of a pre-formed articulating spacer made of gentamicin-impregnated acrylic cement in the management of infected total knee arthroplasty. Twentyone consecutive patients with unilateral deep infection were treated by two-stage revision in two centres. Two patients were excluded, and 19 patients remained available for assessment. The mean implantation time of the spacer was 12 weeks. The rehabilitation programme between stages consisted in early range of motion exercises and partial weight bearing. Mean follow-up after removal of the spacer and insertion of the final prosthesis was 24 (range, 12-43) months. No patient had recurrence of infection at the latest follow-up. The mean Knee Society functional score during spacer management was rated 75 points and was rated 84 points at the latest follow-up. No devicerelated complication was observed.

The use of preformed articulated knee spacer during a two stage technique for infected TKA improves patient QOL between stages and increases patient compliance and cooperation, reducing social costs.

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The use of BC-6800-BF for synovial fluid analysis enables rapid and accurate assessment, especially for total cell and polymorphonuclear counts. The use of BC-6800-BF may therefore allow the replacement of optical analysis, especially in samples pretreated with hyaluronidase, thus allowing its routine use for the screening of synovial specimens.