Long-term outcome of 42 knees with chronic infection after total knee arthroplasty

The outcome of treatment in 40 patients (42 knees) with chronic infections after total knee arthroplasty was reviewed. Eighteen knees were treated with a 2-stage reimplantation. Sixteen of these 18 knees were treated with antibiotic-containing beads between debridement and reimplantation, and 7 of these were also treated with antibiotics in the cement at reimplantation. Infection did not recur in any of these 18 knees. Clinically, the 2-stage reimplantation group averaged a score of 90 points on the Knee Society Clinical Rating System. Average function score was 86.5 points, with average range of motion from 2 degrees to 109 degrees. Sixteen knees were treated with an arthrodesis: 9 with a 1-stage technique with a uniplanar external fixator and 7 with a 2-stage technique with intramedullary nail internal fixation. Infection did not recur in 6 of 9 knees treated with the 1-stage technique, but only 2 had a solid arthrodesis. All 7 treated with the 2-stage intramedullary nail technique had no recurrence of infection and achieved a solid fusion. Reimplantation or arthrodesis was not attempted in 8 other knees because of recalcitrant infection, vascular complications, or medical infirmity. Of the 42 knees, 11 (26%) had a severely morbid outcome. The infection could not be eradicated in 7 knees: 6 required amputation and 1 had a solid fusion but chronic drainage. In 3 knees, the infection was cured but resection arthroplasties were required, and in 1 patient an amputation was needed as a result of an intraoperative vascular complication.