Treatment of Infection after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Bae, Dae Kyung; Yim, Chang Moo; Yang, Hyoung Seop

Abstract

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical results of treatment for infected TKA and find a reasonable method of treatment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between March 1988 and August 1997, 34 patients with infection after total knee arthroplasty were treated at Kyung Hee University Hospital. The average follow-up period was 4 year 8 months. At-the time of infection management, the average age was 59 years (range, 20 to 79 years); there were 31 women and three men. Infected patients were managed with several methods. Twenty patients were treated with one-stage or two-stage reimplantation, and arthrodesis was done in 12 cases. Two cases were treated conservatively. We assessed knee function before and after revision, according to the knee rating system of The Hospital for Special Surgery.
RESULTS
Prior to revision operation, the average knee score in 20 reimplantation cases was 52 points, and the average range of motion was 76. After revision, the average knee score was 84 points, and the average range of motion was 90. All patients had complete union at an average 5.3 months after arthrodesis. There were no recurrences of infection after one-stage or two-stage reimplantation, or fusion.
CONCLUSIONS
Thoughtful method of treatment should be decided in managing infected total knee arthroplasty.