J Korean Knee Soc.  2007 Jun;19(1):57-62.

Comparison of Articular Spacer Versus Static Spacer in the Treatment of Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty

• Chun CH
• Kim JW
• Kweon SH
• Choi BS

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare and analyze the surgical procedure and clinical results of two-stage re-implantation using both articulating and static spacers at infected total knee arthroplasties(TKA). MATERIALS & METHODS: A total of 14 cases were selected for subject of this study in which patients had been diagnosed as infected TKA and had undergone two-stage re-implantation(7 using static spacers and remaining 7 using articulating spacers) from March 1999 to March 2006.
RESULTS
In the group using static spacers, ROM improved from 70 degrees in average preoperatively to 98 degrees postoperatively. In the group using articulating spacers, ROM improved from 74 degrees to 105 degrees (p=0.532). HSS score showed an increase from 43 scores in average preoperatively to 81 postoperatively for static spacers and from 41 to 83 for articulating spacers(p=0.780). There was no significant difference in the hour spent for the 1st surgery. The 2nd operation time was shortened to 241 minutes in case of static spacers, and 208 minutes in articulating spacers. One case of relapse was reported with static spacers but none with articulating spacers.
CONCLUSION
Two-stage re-implantation of infected TKA using both static and articulating spacers has been found to be effective ways of treatment, requiring, however, long term follow-ups.

Keyword

Infected total knee arthroplasties; Two-stage re-implantation; Articulating spacer; Static spacer

MeSH Terms

Arthroplasty*
Humans
Knee*
Recurrence