Functional advantage of articulating versus static spacers in 2-stage revision for total knee arthroplasty infection.
Infection is an unfortunate complication of total knee arthroplasty. Current literature supports 2-stage reimplantation as the gold standard. Controversy exists whether static or articulating spacers are the best interim treatment method. Seventy-six 2-stage reimplantation procedures met the study inclusion criteria. There were 28 static spacers and 48 articulating spacers. The eradication rate was 94.7% in the articulating group compared with 92.1% in the static group (P = 0.7). There were no significant differences in postoperative Knee Society Scores pain scores. There were 28 (58%) good to excellent function scores in the articulating group and 10 (36%) in the static group (P = .05). Interim use of an articulating spacer maintains excellent infection eradication rates and may improve function over the use of static spacers.
Freeman
Mark G
MG
Orthopaedic Institute of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.
Fehring
Thomas K
TK
Odum
Susan M
SM
Fehring
Keith
K
Griffin
William L
WL
Mason
J Bohannon
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*