Old sepsis prior to total knee arthroplasty.

A retrospective study of 65 cemented total knee arthroplasties in previously infected knees was performed. Two subgroups were identified: in Group I there was prior infection of both the bone and joint (20 patients) and in Group II there was only joint involvement (45 patients). Following primary total knee arthroplasty, deep infection occurred in three of 20 (15%) in Group I and in two of 45 (4%) in Group II, or five of 65 (7.7%) overall. Subsequent revision arthroplasty was required in 18. Of these 18 knees, three (17%) developed deep infection. Old sepsis, especially with associated osteomyelitis, results in a high rate of infection following total knee arthroplasty.