Are there avoidable causes of early revision total knee arthroplasty?

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Abstract

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. 14. Arthroplast Today. 2023 Dec 29;25:101261. doi: 10.1016/j.artd.2023.101261. eCollection 2024 Feb. Modular Knee Arthrodesis as Definitive Treatment for Periprosthetic Infection, Bone Loss, and Failure of the Extensor Mechanism After Total Knee Arthroplasty. Coden G(1), Bartashevskyy M(2), Berliner Z(3), Niu R(4), Freccero D(3), Bono J(1), Abdeen A(3), Smith EL(1). Author information: (1)Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. (2)Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. (3)Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. (4)Department of Research, New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can result in bone and soft-tissue loss, leg length discrepancies, and dysfunctional extensor mechanisms. While above-knee amputation (AKA) is an established salvage treatment, modular knee arthrodesis (MKA) is a viable option that provides rigid stability and maintains leg length even in patients with severe bone and soft-tissue loss. We sought to report the outcomes of patients with an MKA as the definitive treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 8 patients implanted with an MKA at 2 institutions between 2016 and 2022. The mean age was 69.63 years, and 50.0% of patients were women. All patients were indicated for conversion to an MKA as the definitive treatment in the setting of treated chronic PJI after TKA, severe bone loss, and failure of the extensor mechanism not amenable to repair. Medical records and radiographs were reviewed. RESULTS: No patients required incision and drainage or exchange of their MKA for PJI at mean 2-year follow-up. One patient required 2 revisions for mechanical failure of his implant at 5.0 and 6.4 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: MKA is a viable permanent alternative to AKA for patients with treated chronic PJI and dysfunctional extensor mechanism after TKA. The procedure restores leg lengths in the setting of severe bone and soft-tissue loss, therefore allowing patients to ambulate independently. Still, surgeons should be aware of the potential for mechanical failure requiring revision. © 2023 The Authors. DOI: 10.1016/j.artd.2023.101261 PMCID: PMC10805633