Related Experiment Videos
Spontaneous hemarthrosis 6 years after total knee arthroplasty
1Department of Orthopaedics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
The Journal of Arthroplasty
|February 15, 2001
Summary
Spontaneous hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty is rare. A case is presented where a femoral component flare eroded an artery, causing hemarthrosis six years post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Vascular Complications
- Arthroplasty Research
Background:
- Spontaneous hemarthrosis is an infrequent complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
- Delayed hemarthrosis, occurring years after the initial procedure, is particularly uncommon.
- Vascular erosion by prosthetic components presents a diagnostic challenge.
Observation:
- A patient developed a tense hemarthrosis six years after undergoing TKA.
- The hemarthrosis was attributed to a femoral component with a prominent superolateral flare.
- This flare eroded into the superior lateral genicular artery.
Findings:
- The prominent femoral flare of the TKA component caused arterial erosion.
- An atherosclerotic superior lateral genicular artery was identified as the source of bleeding.
- This mechanical erosion led to significant intra-articular hemorrhage.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but serious delayed complication of TKA.
- Implant design and patient vascular health (e.g., atherosclerosis) are critical factors.
- Awareness of such erosive complications is important for orthopedic surgeons.