Mycobacterium chelonae infection after total knee arthroplasty: a case report

We present a case of Mycobacterium chelonae infection after total knee arthroplasty in a 70-year-old woman. The patient underwent implant removal, drainage, debridement, and insertion of a gentamycin-load cement spacer. After 4 months, the second-stage surgery was performed. Intravenous amikacin (6 weeks) and oral clarithromycin (12 weeks) were given. At the 12-month follow-up, the patient achieved 90 degrees of flexion and could walk with a stick for up to 15 minutes. She was not taking any analgesics.