Introduction: Septic arthritis is considered the most rapidly
destructive joint disease. Arthrodesis of the knee is a salvage
procedure that may be indicated for a patient with an infected
non-reconstructable knee joint. This study aimed at evaluation
of the results of knee arthrodesis using the Ilizarov external
fixator to treat septic knee arthritis.
Patients and methods: This retrospective study included 11
patients with septic knee arthritis treated with a similar protocol
of debridement and arthrodesis by Ilizarov fixator performed
from February 2005 to December 2013. The mean age was
46.27 years. Seven patients were males. The cause of septic
arthritis was postoperative in six patients, three infected open
knee injuries, and two neglected traumatic dislocations. All
patients had already undergone previous surgeries with a mean
of 3.64 procedures. Patients were evaluated clinically and
radiographically. Functional assessment was done by WOMAC
index.
Results: The mean external fixation period was 5.27 months.
The mean follow up period was 30.55 months. One patient
sustained femoral fracture after a fall during fixation and
managed by proximal frame extension. Six patients had pin
track infection and one half pin was broken in a case.
Arthrodesis was achieved and infection was controlled in all
cases without further procedures. At the last follow-up the mean
score of WOMAC index was 27.45.
Conclusions: Using Ilizarov fixator for arthrodesis of septic
knees was effective in having a stable, mostly pain-free knee,
and provided control of infection and improvement in the
function and quality of life in such patients. |
