Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty in a 15 Year Old With Skeletal Dysplasia and Open Physes

There are limited reports of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the pediatric population. The use of constrained, stemmed components is particularly unusual in the setting of open physes due to concerns with growth arrest and implant survivorship. The current authors describe a 15-year-old boy with open growth plates and an epiphyseal dysplasia-like condition affecting the knees bilaterally. He had no other significant medical or orthopedic conditions and his genetic workup was negative. He had severe knee pain and a bilateral 40° valgus with severe lateral compartment arthritis. Conservative treatment provided no symptom relief, and the patient had been wheelchair bound for 18 months prior to presentation. Treatment with simultaneous bilateral TKA using cemented, stemmed, and constrained components was undertaken. There were no intraoperative complications, and his final follow-up was at 5.6 years postoperatively. Radiographic evaluation at follow-up showed that components were well placed with no loosening. The patient had pain-free motion and a perfect Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Based on the review of the literature and the outcomes of this case, the authors believe simultaneous bilateral TKA using cemented, stemmed, and constrained components is a reasonable option for joint reconstruction in the pediatric patient with open physes who also has significant arthritis and deformity not of oncologic origin. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(3):e549-e552.].