Clinical Results of Arthroscopic Treatment for Infection after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Kim, Kyung Tae; Lee, Song; Kim, Jee Hyoung; Kim, Dae Geun; Shin, Won Shik

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the efficiency of arthroscopic treatment for infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and to investigate the factors affecting the outcomes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analyzed 17 cases which underwent arthroscopic treatment to treat infection after TKA. After confirming infection by hematologic examination and analysis of joint fluid, we performed arthroscopic debridement, synovectomy and irrigation with normal saline mixed with antibiotics. Through routine examination after operation, we checked failure of treatment or recurrence of infection. If there is no recurrence until 2 years after the operation, we considered it as a success of treatment.
RESULTS
Of the 17 cases taken arthroscopic treatment, 13 cases were treated successfully with primary arthroscopic treatment only, but 4 cases had to undergo re-operation because of persistence or recurrence of infection. Analyzing the factors affecting the results, we found that symptom duration of the re-operation group is longer than the treated group after arthroscopy (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Arthroscopic treatment can be effective when we performed appropriate selection of patients, careful and extensive arthroscopic irrigation and debridement, and suitable use of antibiotics. However, we have to do early arthroscopic surgery as soon as possible when infection after TKA is suspected.