title: Knee arthrodesis with an intramedullary nail: a retrospective study.
abstract: A group of 19 patients who underwent knee arthrodesis with use of an intramedullary nail between 1996 and 2005, was studied. In the majority of patients knee arthrodesis was performed as a salvage procedure for the limb following an infected total knee arthroplasty. The outcome of the procedure was evaluated with radiographs, the SF-36 score and the Oxford 12-item knee score. The functional result of a successful arthrodesis was found to be comparable with that of a revised hinged total knee arthroplasty. Knee arthrodesis with an intramedullary nail allows weightbearing within 1 week and is accompanied by a high rate of pain relief. However, recurrence of infection is the most challenging problem.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. jeroendevil@yahoo.co.uk
authors: Jeroen
authors: J
authors: De Vil
authors: Karl Fredrik
authors: KF
authors: Almqvist
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Vanheeren
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Boone
authors: René
authors: R
authors: Verdonk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects; D001858:Bone Nails; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D023821:Limb Salvage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult