Total knee replacement in acute and chronic traumatic events

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Arthroplasty

Background:

• Post-traumatic arthritis is a common complication following knee injuries.
• Total knee replacement (TKR) is a established treatment for severe knee arthritis.
• The application of TKR in acute knee fractures, especially in pre-arthritic joints, is an evolving area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the authors' experience with TKR in managing both acute and chronic traumatic knee conditions.
• To highlight the specific challenges and considerations for TKR in traumatic knee scenarios.
• To detail the indications, surgical techniques, and potential pitfalls of TKR for traumatic knee injuries.

Main Methods:

• Review of a case series involving patients who underwent TKR for traumatic knee conditions (acute fractures and chronic post-traumatic arthritis).
• Analysis of surgical indications, technical principles, and intraoperative/postoperative management.
• Identification and discussion of common problems, tips, and tricks specific to TKR in trauma.

Main Results:

• TKR can be a viable option for selected cases of acute knee fractures with pre-existing arthritis.
• Management of acute fractures via TKR presents unique challenges compared to elective TKR.
• Specific technical modifications and careful patient selection are crucial for successful outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Total knee replacement is a valuable treatment option for complex post-traumatic knee arthritis.
• TKR for acute knee fractures requires careful consideration of indications and surgical technique.
• Experience sharing is vital for refining TKR procedures in traumatic knee injury management.