title: Knee arthrodesis using circular external fixator in the treatment of infected knee prosthesis: case report.
abstract: A patient (68 years old and male) underwent total knee replacement because of arthrosis, but he subsequently had infection due to a wound problem. Although he underwent early debridement, antibiotherapy, and soft-tissue operation, treatment failed because of improper soft-tissue coverage and progression of the infection. Therefore, the prosthesis was removed and a spacer with antibiotic was placed, in order to provide soft-tissue coverage and to eradicate infection. After 2 months, the patient underwent knee arthrodesis using a circular external fixator to achieve a stable lower extremity and to facilitate return to activities of daily living. We obtained knee fusion at 4 months without any requirement for secondary procedure of soft tissue and bone graft. There was no major complication. Arthrodesis with circular external fixator is a reliable and successive method that should be preferred for the treatment of infected knee replacement.
authors.affiliation: Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Anabilim Dali, Gaziosmanpasa Universitesi Tip Fakultesi Dekanligi, 60100, Tokat, Turkey. opdrtgunes@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Taner
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gunes
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erdem
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D016267:External Fixators; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000601:surgery*