A Catastrophic Implant Failure After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Wear of metallic surfaces after total knee arthroplasty is uncommon. In this case, we report a catastrophic failure of the knee prosthesis in a 60-year-old male patient who had undergone total knee prosthesis 7 years prior to his admission to our clinic. Genu recurvatum was observed in the affected knee. Surgical exploration of the knee showed wear of the polyethylene insert accompanied by metallic tibial component abrasion of the posterior-cruciate-retaining total knee prosthesis (Maxim, Biomet, Warsaw, IN, USA). Single-stage revision was performed, and a new total knee prosthesis was implanted (Legion, Smith & Nephew, Memphis, TN, USA). Postoperative examination showed improved stability and correction of recurvatum of the affected knee and follow-up examination showed improved weight bearing ability and better overall functional outcome.