title: [Knee arthrodesis with external ring fixator after infected knee arthroplasty].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infection following knee arthroplasty is a severe complication which may lead to arthrodesis or even amputation. We wanted to examine the results after arthrodesis of the knee using the Ilizarov ring fixator in eight patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients (seven females, one male) who underwent knee arthrodesis with the Ilizarov external fixator were studied retrospectively. Their median age was 63 (51-84) years. The mean follow-up period after removal of the fixator was 10 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six arthrodeses healed without further operation. One patient died before the end of follow-up. One patient had an above-knee amputation because of chronic infection. Associated complications were the complications/problems which are already well known.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Ilizarov ring fixator is a reliable method for performing arthrodesis after removal of an infected total knee arthroplasty.
authors.affiliation: Knaeartrodese med ekstern ringfiksator efter inficeret knaealloplastik. hans.dorte@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Hans Gad
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Johannsen
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Skov
authors.forename: Ernst Rainer
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Weeth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies