[Mid-term results after post-traumatic knee joint replacement in elderly patients].
BACKGROUND
Due to the increasing prevalence of elderly people in Germany, the number of geriatric fractures will continue to increase. Typical geriatric skeletal and physical changes are osteoporosis, arthrosis, and reduced ability of coordination. Altogether, these factors may lead to a failure of a performed osteosynthesis, or may make the classical fracture treatment of reduction and internal fixation appear to be impossible. The aim of this study was to examine the results of peri-knee fractures treated directly or within 3 months by implantation of a knee prosthesis.


METHODS
15 geriatric patients could be identified who were treated in the described way in the last 4 years. The follow-up time was 39 months. The knee injury occurred in all cases after a banal trauma.


RESULTS
14 patients could be examined by applying the HSS scoring system. We furthermore checked the operative management and postoperative course. The patients reached a good score level and showed few complications.


CONCLUSIONS
For elderly patients, the primary knee arthroplasty after periarticular fractures of the knee is a valid treatment option. Nevertheless, the surgeon has to identify those fractures which are impossible to treat by a classical osteosynthesis. Furthermore, the application of the appropriate knee prosthesis, regarding the degree of hinge constrainment or augmentation of the tibial or femoral bone stock, is important.
Weber
O
O
Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn. oliver.weber@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Goost
H
H
Mueller
M
M
Burger
C
C
Wirtz
D
D
Pagenstert
G
G
Gravius
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome