Arthrodesis of the knee with intramedullary fixation.

The application of intramedullary fixation for arthrodesis of the knee has been limited by the technical problems of rod failure and fracture of the femur at the rod insertion site. Improved implant design and rod insertion technique were utilized in seven patients with uniformly successful results. Intramedullary fixation provides prolonged stable fixation and is an alternative to the external fixation techniques currently used to achieve knee arthrodesis.