Knee arthrodesis with the Sheffield external ring fixator: fusion in 6 of 10 consecutive patients.
BACKGROUND
Knee arthrodesis with external fixation (XF) is a possible salvage procedure for infected total knee arthroplasties (TKA). We report the outcome in 10 patients who underwent arthrodesis with the Sheffield Ring Fixator.


METHODS
The patients had primary arthrosis in 8 cases; 2 cases were due to rheumatoid arthritis and sclerodermia. The mean time between the primary TKA and arthrodesis was 6 (0.5-14) years. The average age at arthrodesis was 69 years. The average follow-up period was 10 months.


RESULTS
Stable fusion was obtained in 6 patients after a mean XF time of 3.6 (2-4) months. 1 patient was referred to another hospital because of nonunion. This patient showed fusion with intramedullary nailing after 7 months. 3 nonunion patients required permanent bracing. 7 patients had pin tract infections. Infections healed in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The Sheffield Ring Fixator gives an acceptable fusion rate for arthrodesis in the infected TKA, with limited complications.
Ulstrup
Anton K
AK
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Roskilde County Hospital, Køge, Denmark. akulstrup@gmail.com
Folkmar
Klaus
K
Broeng
Leif
L
D000368:Aged; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects; D001858:Bone Nails; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome