"Wandering resident" surgical exposure for 1- or 2-stage revision arthroplasty in stiff aseptic and septic knee arthroplasty.

A retrospective study was performed on 18 patients who had undergone revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between 1992 and 2000 with stiff knee (average, 50 degrees range of motion). The so-called "wandering resident" surgical exposure was used. This procedure was used twice in 5 cases with low-grade infection in a 2-stage revision of their septic prosthesis. Follow-up was from 1 to 8 years (average, 3.5 years). All patients had good clinical results, with an 86 degrees average range of motion. The Knee Society Score preoperatively ranged from 35 to 52 (average, 40) and improved to 72 to 89 (average, 84). Postoperative rehabilitation was slower, requiring the use of a knee brace in extension for 6 weeks for support while the patient ambulated and without this support for daily physiotherapy and continuous passive motion at 0 degrees to 70 degrees. Full range of motion with no brace was started after 6 weeks.