Malte Ohlmeier1, Giorgio Delgado2, Claudia Arias Calderon3, Carl-Heinz Hartwig1, Thorsten Gehrke1, Mustafa Citak1. 1. Department of Joint Surgery, Helios ENDO-Klinik Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. 2. Department of Orthopedics, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines. 3. Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Jesús María, Peru.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The decision to perform a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on a previously infected knee is made complicated by the higher risk for both a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and early failure. There is currently no standard in the treatment strategy for this group of patients. We here report the outcomes of performing a primary TKA on patients with a prior septic knee arthritis. The aim of our study is to analyze the survival rates of patients with a history of septic arthritis undergoing TKA. METHODS: From 2010 to 2018, all patients treated in our institution with a minimum follow-up of 1 year, who have previous histories of knee joint infections and underwent a primary TKA were included in the study. All patients underwent the same surgical protocol and were given systemic and local antibiotic treatment. RESULTS: Of the 68 knees, there were 4 surgical revisions (5.9%). These included 2 septic revisions due to PJI (2.9%), 1 open arthrolysis for arthrofibrosis (1.5%), and 1 aseptic revision for implant loosening (1.5%). Sixty-four (64) knees (94%) had survived without any surgical interventions and the Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated an overall survivorship free from PJI of 97.1% at a mean of 5 years (range 1-9, standard deviation ±2.5 years). CONCLUSION: TKA is a suitable option for patients with a prior septic arthritis of the knee, provided that proper surgical technique and the utilization of systemic and local antibiotics are employed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.
BACKGROUND: The decision to perform a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on a previously infected knee is made complicated by the higher risk for both a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and early failure. There is currently no standard in the treatment strategy for this group of patients. We here report the outcomes of performing a primary TKA on patients with a prior septic knee arthritis. The aim of our study is to analyze the survival rates of patients with a history of septic arthritis undergoing TKA. METHODS: From 2010 to 2018, all patients treated in our institution with a minimum follow-up of 1 year, who have previous histories of knee joint infections and underwent a primary TKA were included in the study. All patients underwent the same surgical protocol and were given systemic and local antibiotic treatment. RESULTS: Of the 68 knees, there were 4 surgical revisions (5.9%). These included 2 septic revisions due to PJI (2.9%), 1 open arthrolysis for arthrofibrosis (1.5%), and 1 aseptic revision for implant loosening (1.5%). Sixty-four (64) knees (94%) had survived without any surgical interventions and the Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated an overall survivorship free from PJI of 97.1% at a mean of 5 years (range 1-9, standard deviation ±2.5 years). CONCLUSION: TKA is a suitable option for patients with a prior septic arthritis of the knee, provided that proper surgical technique and the utilization of systemic and local antibiotics are employed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.