title: Patella tendon injuries secondary to cement spacers used at first-stage revision of infected total knee replacement.
abstract: We describe a series of three patients who sustained patella tendon injuries in infected total knee arthroplasties following the use of a static cement spacer at first-stage knee revision. The patella tendon injuries resulted in significant compromise to wound healing and knee stability requiring multiple surgeries. The mid-term function was poor with an Oxford score at 24 months ranging from 12 to 20. Based on our experience, we advise caution in the use of static cement spacer blocks. If they are to be used, we recommend that they should be keyed in the bone to prevent patella tendon injuries.
authors.affiliation: Cardiff and Vale Orthopaedic Centre, Llandough University Hospital, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust , Cardiff , UK.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Cardiff and Vale Orthopaedic Centre, Llandough University Hospital, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust , Cardiff , UK.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kothwal
authors.affiliation: Cardiff and Vale Orthopaedic Centre, Llandough University Hospital, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust , Cardiff , UK.
authors.forename: Wasim S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Cardiff and Vale Orthopaedic Centre, Llandough University Hospital, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust , Cardiff , UK.
authors.forename: Rhodri
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Cardiff and Vale Orthopaedic Centre, Llandough University Hospital, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust , Cardiff , UK.
authors.forename: Rhidian
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morgan-Jones
keywords: cement spacer; knee revision; patella tendon; total knee arthroplasty; wound healing