[A rare case of extensive bilateral polyethylene granuloma after knee replacement]

The authors present a case of bilateral loosening of total knee arthroplasty as a result of polyethylene (PE) wear. Five and seven years after TKA the patient developed a polyethylene granuloma leading to extensive bone defects under the implant. Finally it resulted in pathological fracture of medial condyle of tibia. A revision PFC stabilized prosthesis was used for reimplantation. Bone defects were filled in by bone grafts from the bone bank. Authors point out the issues of PE wear. In the discussion they list various factors (time, indication, material, design and the factor of individual response of the organism) which may play an important role in the incidence of PE wear. The incidence of polyethylene granuloma in TKA is still a rare complication, however, it is necessary to take this issue into account as the number of such cases will undoubtedly grow.