Two-Stage Reimplantation for the Treatment of Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty

Lee, Duk Yong; Shim, Jae Ik; Kim, Taik Seon; Lee, Sung Jong; Lee, Suck Ha; Lee, Dong Ki; Yoo, Yeon Sik; Han, Yong Hee

Abstract

Deep infection following arthroplasty of the knee is a serious complication resulting in pain, discharge and loss of function. The incidence of deep infection ranges from 1% to 2% in a majority of reported series. There are several options for treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty: (1) antibiotic suppression, (2) debridement, (3) resection arthroplasty, (4) reimplantation, (5) arthrodesis, (6) amputation. Among them, recent reports have favored a two-staged regimen exchanging the prosthesis in an infected knee by using an antibiotic impregnated cement spacer. The result of our study support this option for treatment. We have experienced 14 cases of two-staged reimplantation in infected total knee arthroplasty, diagnosed according to the criteria described by Bengstons and followed up for more than two years. The average interval from prosthesis removal to revision was 6.85 weeks. Prior to revision, the average knee score was 50 points, and the average range of motion was 74 degree. After revision, the average knee score was 81 points. The average range of motion was 95 degree. Our protocol for the treatment successfully eradicated the deep infection in 13 patients, only a patients who had severe rheumatoid arthritis was the sole documented case of reinfection.