Arthrodesis of the knee using cannulated screws

Periprosthetic knee infection: treatment options

Infection is one of the most catastrophic complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and represents the second most common cause of TKA failure. Treatment of a patient with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) could require often costly and prolonged hospital stays, weeks or months of antibiotic therapy, and multiple surgical procedures. The best management is still highly debating, whereas many treatment options are available. These include suppressive antibiotics, arthroscopic irrigation and debridement, open debridement with insert exchange, single-stage reimplantation and two-stage reimplantation. The choice of the treatment depends on many variables, including integrity of implant, timing of the infection, host factors (age, health, immunologic status), virulence of the infecting organism and wishes of the patient. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive understaning of the different options for knee PJIs.

Unconstrained one-stage total knee arthroplasty PS design in patient with secondary osteoarthritis due to granulomatous infection with medial femoral condyle defect: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Granulomatous Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection Causes Secondary Knee Osteoarthritis is still a point of contention in terms of therapy, whether it is done early in the first stage or later in the second stage of knee surgery. Early Total Knee Arthroplasty as a therapy for secondary knee osteoarthritis induced by Granulomatous mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is still performed rarely.

CASE PRESENTATION

A case of left pain and swollen knee in males for 8 months. Because of pain and reduced knee range of motion, the patient now has an antalgic gait, which make him difficult to do daily activities. Treatment with medications and physiotherapy failed. Radiographs revealed juxta-articular osteoporosis, peripherally distributed osseous erosions, joint space narrowing, and a bony defect in the medial femoral condyle. This case was successfully treated using Unconstrained Knee Arthroplasty PS Design.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Case selection for granulomatous infection case is key element to determine whether a single TKA procedure can be used to treat knee pain problems as a result of secondary osteoarthritis.

CONCLUSION

This case shows secondary knee osteoarthritis caused by Granulomatous Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection without pyogenic pus production might allow for early one-stage total knee arthroplasty. Three months following surgery, the patient's knee was stable and painless, with good wound healing and no signs of infection.

Diagnosis and management of infected arthroplasty

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of the most dreadful complications after THA and TKA. Though prevention is of utmost importance in PJI management, the last decade has seen many remarkable developments in PJI diagnosis, including the introduction of several standardized PJI diagnostic definitions and biomarkers. Depending on the specific clinical situation, a myriad of treatment options for PJI are offered. Our review aims to summarize the pertinent information on PJI diagnosis and synthesize literature on the different treatment methods currently used in clinical practice. One of the most accepted PJI diagnostic definitions was developed by the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) in 2011, later modified in the 2013 International Consensus Meeting (ICM). After promising results from studies, alpha-defensins and D-dimer were recently incorporated into the 2018 ICM PJI definition. The management choices for PJI include irrigation and debridement (DAIR), one-stage exchange arthroplasty, or two-stage exchange arthroplasty, to name a few. While two-stage revision has traditionally been the treatment of choice in the United States, there has been a growing body of evidence framing one-stage revision as a comparable choice. One-stage revision should be offered in patients meeting strict selection criteria: no sinus tract, proper soft tissue available for wound closure, appropriate bone stock, a favorable identifiable organism with encouraging antibiotic sensitivities (for cement and oral suppression later), and robust immunological status. DAIR can be considered in case of early infections with sensitive infecting organisms. Patients with multiple unsuccessful revisions or those who refuse further surgical intervention for PJI can be offered antibiotic suppression. If nothing seems to work, salvage procedures (resection arthroplasty and arthrodesis) are available as a last resort. Further research is encouraged to improve on diagnostic capabilities and develop evidence on the best treatment of choice for PJI.

Application of the Ilizarov technique for knee joint arthrodesis as a treatment for end-stage tuberculosis of the knee

Background

With the global determination to eliminate tuberculosis (TB), the treatment for end-stage TB of the knee joint is still a great clinical challenge. This study aims to retrospectively determine the clinical and radiographic outcomes after use of the Ilizarov technique for knee joint arthrodesis as a treatment for end-stage knee TB.

Methods

Twenty-six patients with end-stage knee TB treated by external fixation with the Ilizarov fixator between 2012 and 2017 were examined. Anti-TB drugs were administered preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively. Clinical and radiologic examinations were performed for comprehensive evaluations, and these include C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), flexion and valgus angle of the knee, leg-length discrepancy, and Lysholm score.

Results

Twenty-four patients were followed up for an average of 5.8 years (2.2–7 years). All patients achieved bone fusion within a mean of 6.4 months (4–16 months). The ESR and CRP concentrations were observed to return to normal within 5.1 ± 1.1 months postoperatively. There was no recurrence of TB. At last follow-up, the mean leg-length discrepancy was 2.7 ± 1.4 cm, and the mean alignment was 8.7 ± 2.6° flexion and 5.3 ± 1.0° valgus. No patient had a significant rotational deformity. The average Lysholm score was seen to improve significantly from 36.8 ± 18.4 preoperatively to 79.5 ± 5.9 at final follow-up (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated that the Ilizarov technique for knee joint arthrodesis as a treatment of end-stage knee TB achieved promising outcomes with minimal complications.

Salvage Procedures for Management of Prosthetic Joint Infection After Hip and Knee Replacements

Background:

The increasing load placed by joint replacement surgery on health care systems makes infection, even with the lowest rates, a serious concern that needs to be thoroughly studied and addressed using all possible measures.

Methods:

A comprehensive review of the current literature on salvage procedures for recurrent PJIs using PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL has been conducted.

Results:

Prolonged suppressive antibiotic therapy (PSAT), resection arthroplasty and arthrodesis were the most common procedures performed. Suppressive antibiotic therapy is based on the use of well tolerated long term antibiotics in controlling sensitive organisms. Resection arthroplasty which should be reserved as a last resort provided more predictable outcomes in the hip whereas arthrodesis was associated with better outcomes in the knee. Various methods for arthrodesis including internal and external fixation have been described.

Conclusion:

Despite good union and infection control rates, all methods were associated with complications occasionally requiring further surgical interventions.

Functional outcome of knee arthrodesis with a monorail external fixator

Several methods for obtaining knee arthrodesis have been described in the literature and world; over, the commonest cause for arthrodesis is a failed arthroplasty. Less commonly, as in this series, post-infective or traumatic causes may also require a knee fusion wherein arthroplasty may not be indicated. We present salient advantages along with the radiological and functional outcome of twenty four patients treated with a single monorail external fixator. All patients went on develop fusion at an average of 5.4 months with an average limb length discrepancy of 3 cm (1.5-6 cm). Improvements in functional outcome as assessed by the lower extremity functional score (LEFS), and the SF-36 was significant (p = 0.000). Knee arthrodesis with a single monorail external fixator is a reasonable single-staged salvage option in patients wherein arthroplasty may not be the ideal choice. The outcome, though far from ideal, is definitely positive and predictable.

Total knee arthroplasty in advanced tuberculous arthritis of the knee

BACKGROUND

Controversies regarding the treatment of advanced tuberculosis of the knee still exist. We retrospectively investigated protocols of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and their efficacy in patients with advanced tuberculosis.

METHODS

Nine TKAs associated with advanced tuberculosis were performed at our institution between 2008 and 2013, with a mean follow-up of 4.4 years (range 2-7 years). In four cases with elevated inflammatory biomarkers, patients received three months of antitubercular drug treatment followed by two-stage TKA. In the remaining five cases with normal biomarkers, patients received one-stage TKA with no pre-operative drug therapy. All patients received antitubercular therapy for one year post-operatively. Clinical and radiological data during follow-up were gathered to evaluate the effects of treatment.

RESULTS

There was no tuberculosis reactivation and all cases demonstrated marked improvement in function and favorable states of prostheses. Specifically, the mean Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score increased from 44.8 (range 30-60) preoperatively to 82.7 (range 64-92) at last follow-up (P < 0.05). The average range of motion was 56° (range 10° to 90°) before surgery and 94° (range 80-110) at final follow-up (P < 0.05). Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels returned to normal in a mean of 4.0 months (range 3-5 months) and 3.9 months (range 3-6 months) post-operatively, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although a consensus of views regarding surgical timing, prosthesis selection, and peri-operative antitubercular therapy has not been reached, our results suggest that TKA can be performed for advanced tuberculous arthritis.

Knee arthrodesis using a unilateral external fixator combined with crossed cannulated screws for the treatment of end-stage tuberculosis of the knee

Background

The treatment of end-stage tuberculosis (TB) of the knee remains a significant clinical challenge, and clinical data are lacking. This study aimed to retrospectively determine the outcome of single-stage knee arthrodesis with a unilateral external fixator combined with cannulated screws for the treatment of end-stage TB.

Methods

Twenty-six patients with end-stage knee TB were treated by single-stage arthrodesis. All patients underwent open debridement and the insertion of a unilateral external fixator combined with crossed cannulated screws and received systemic antitubercular therapy. Clinical evaluations and radiographic analyses were performed after an average follow-up duration of 5.5 years.

Results

The mean time to radiographic bone fusion was 5.6 months. Primary full union was achieved in 25 patients (96.2 %) within 8 months, and the remaining patients achieved bone fusion at 14 months postoperatively. The mean post-operative alignment was 5.4° valgus and 12.5° flexion. The mean leg-length discrepancy was 2.8 cm. The mean VAS score improved from 67.3 before surgery to 16.2 at the last follow-up (P < 0.01), and the mean WOMAC score improved from 58.8 to 13.7 (P < 0.01). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein level returned to normal in 25 patients by 3 months postoperatively. No recurrence in the target knee was noted.

Conclusions

Single-stage arthrodesis with a unilateral external fixator combined with cannulated screws can be regarded as efficacious for the treatment of end-stage knee TB. Additional studies are necessary to confirm the findings of our study.

Total knee arthroplasty for the management of joint destruction in tuberculous arthritis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience to clarify the suggestion that there should be a significant disease-free interval before total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to determine the correct timing of surgery for reconstruction of the joint destruction in patients suffering from tuberculous arthritis.

METHODS

Twelve patients with advanced joint destruction and tuberculous arthritis of the knee with recent onset were reviewed in this study. The time interval from our diagnosis of active infection to arthroplasty averaged 4 ± 1.5 months. Histopathology of the biopsy specimens revealing granulomatous lesions, including epithelioid histiocytes surrounded by lymphocytes, confirmed the diagnosis of each patient. A primary knee prosthesis was performed in seven knees. In five knees, there was severe bone loss after the extensive debridement of the entire joint, and thereafter, revision prosthesis was preferred to preserve the joint line. Patients were given post-operative antituberculous treatment for a total of 1 year, whereas for three patients, whose erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values remained above normal by the sixth month, the chemotherapy was continued for up to 18 months. The Knee Society TKA roentgenographic evaluation and scoring system was used for radiological evaluation of the knees. Clinical evaluation of the knees was done preoperatively and at the time of the most recent follow-up using the American Knee Society Scoring System.

RESULTS

Within the average follow-up period of 6.1 ± 1.8 years, no reactivation of tuberculous infection was found in any of the patients. ESR was normal, less than 20 mm/h, after a mean time of 5.5 ± 2.0 months. The CRP was normal, less than 0.8 mg/dl, after a mean time of 4.6 ± 1.3 months. At the most recent follow-up, the average knee score improved from 32.4 ± 19.4 to 83.4 ± 14.0 points (p < 0.05), and the average function score improved from 33.3 ± 11.9 to 86.6 ± 7.7 points (p < 0.05). Ten knees showed good integrity, and no radiolucent lines were found in the bone-prosthesis interface in relation to any component. Radiolucent lines were apparent on the tibial side in two knees. They were less than 1 mm thick and non-progressive, and clinically, there was no evidence of loosening of the component. Culture specimens were positive for five patients.

CONCLUSIONS

TKA is a safe procedure for tuberculous arthritis with recent onset providing symptomatic relief, functional improvement and early return to activity when performed in correct time. A long disease-free interval should not be a prerequisite for arthroplasty. Wide surgical debridement is the mainstay to eradicate the disease, and post-operative antituberculous chemotherapy controls the residual foci.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Distraction arthrodesis with intramedullary nail and mixed bone grafting after failed infected total knee arthroplasty

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine the success rate of the distraction arthrodesis, which was attempted to maintain the limb length during arthrodesis using an intramedullary nail and mixed bone grafting, in terms of the eradication of infection, solid union, and functional outcome. The hypothesis was that distraction arthrodesis would be successful in union and elimination of infection with minimal limb shortening and a satisfactory functional outcome despite large bone defects.

METHODS

Eight patients were managed by arthrodesis using a Huckstep intramedullary nail and massive corticocancellous bone chip grafts from autologous iliac bone and deep-frozen femoral head allografts were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 65.5 ± 7.1 years, and the follow-up duration was 52.1 ± 21.3 months. A mean of 5.3 ± 1.3 surgical procedures had been performed before arthrodesis. The mean longest and shortest distances of the bone defect were 58.6 ± 10.3 and 34.6 ± 7.0 mm, respectively.

RESULTS

Radiological union was obtained in all cases at a mean of 9.9 ± 1.9 months. The mean postoperative limb shortening was 11.0 ± 7.3 mm when compared to the contralateral knee. The mean Knee Society score was 59.9 ± 9.2, and the function score was 38.8 ± 13.3. No additional procedures were required for any of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Distraction arthrodesis of infected knees following total knee arthroplasty demonstrated union and eradication of infection in all patients and a large tibiofemoral gap due to the severe bone defect could be managed with massive bone chip grafts. This method of arthrodesis would be a reliable and an effective method for failed total knee arthroplasty when two-staged reimplantation fails or is not attainable.