Antibiotic-loaded bone cement spacers in two-stage management of infected total knee arthroplasty.

We reviewed the current use of spacers in the management of the infected knee prosthesis. There are two types of temporary spacers: block or non-articulating spacers and articulating or mobile spacers. Generally, spacers improve mobilisation and hasten recovery with shorter hospital stay between stages. Furthermore, spacers facilitate the second-stage procedure by maintaining joint space, and articulating spacers may also maintain range of motion. Last but not the least, the cost of spacers represents only a small fraction of the total expenses for management of infected knee arthroplasties.