Total knee arthroplasty after septic arthritis.

Total knee arthroplastie were performed as salvage procedures in 1- patients with irreversible knee destruction secondary to bacterial arthritis. All now have functioning knees that are pain-free and average 85 degrees of motion. None has evidence of clinical infection at present. These patients are not yet regarded as cured. They may remain at risk for the development of late reinfections. This procedure is not advocated as the operation of choice for patients with knee joint destruction secondary to bacterial arthritis. We emphasize the risk involved and the necessity for obtaining the informed consent of the patient before proceeding with total knee arthroplasty when there has been previous infection.