Congenital Ankylosis of the Knee Treated with Van Nes Rotationplasty: A Case Report

This is a case of a female patient born with thrombocytopenia-absent radius syndrome, with bilateral upper extremity phocomelia, bilateral hip dislocations, and congenital fusion of the right knee with progressively worsening flexion contracture. At age 3 years and 5 months, the patient was treated with excision of the knee ankylosis and Van Nes rotationplasty. This proved durable at age 20 years (final follow-up) without any need for further surgery and without complication.

This is the first known report of Van Nes rotationplasty as a durable treatment option in the management of congenital knee ankylosis, which may avoid reoperation and eliminate risk of recurrence.