[Infected total knee prostheses treated by Papineau's technique and arthrodesis (author's transl)]

The technique of arthrodesis of the knee after removal of an infected total prostheses is described. It was used in four cases. In the first stage, the prostheses and cement were removed, the wound was left open and knee immobilized by Hoffman external fixation. Details of the fixation are given. The second stage of filling of the wound by cancellous chips was performed two weeks later. On average, the fixation was removed after seven months. Some mechanical experiments were made to establish the best type of fixation device.