Primary arthrodesis of the injured knee: still a solution in 1994?--case report

We describe a case of a major trauma to a knee joint with extensive destruction of soft tissues, ligamentary structures, and bone loss. Although in extensive trauma of the knee, conservation and reconstruction of the joint structures is usually attempted, the massive destruction and gross contamination in this case prompted us to perform a primary arthrodesis in order to avoid life-threatening complications and to obtain early functional recuperation of the involved limb.