[Indications and technique of arthrodesis of the knee joint (author's transl)]

The indications of an arthrodesis of the knee joint have changed and seem to be rare in a century of total arthroplasty. However, even nowadays the arthrodesis of the knee joint is still carried out with good results in: postinfectious gonarthrosis, irreparable posttraumatic instability, Charcots knee, Neoplastic destructions in special cases, for patients with a severe painful and deforming arthrosis of any reason, which are too young for an arthroplasty and in a century of arthroplasty for all patients after failure of arthroplasty. Within a period of 11 years from 1969-1980, 105 patients underwent an arthrodesis of the knee joint at BG Unfallklinik Tübingen. Indications and technique are given, the value of an individual postoperative care is pointed out.