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Objective: To assess the inter- and intraobserver reproducibility of the original version and different descriptions of the Kellgren and Lawrence classification used in epidemiological studies for osteoarthritis of the knee., Methods: The study included 72 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Three medical members of the Brazilian Society of Knee Surgery were invited to evaluate the images. An intra- and interobserver analysis was conducted, with an interval of one month. The intraobserver agreement was analyzed using the weighted Cohen's Kappa coefficient. The interobserver agreement was analyzed using the Krippendorff alpha coefficient ( α )., Results: The intraobserver assessment indicated conflicting results. In the interobserver analysis, the level of agreement was superficial., Conclusions: The classification of Kellgren and Lawrence and its variants generated a low reproducibility between observers. The intraobserver analysis showed a lack of uniformity in the use of this classification and its variants, even among experienced observers.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence and microbiological profile of surgical site infections (SSIs) associated with internal fixation of fractures and to compare differences in the SSIs observed among patients with closed and open fractures., Methods: Retrospective study. Analyzed data included information from all patients who underwent surgery for fixation of closed or open fractures from January 2005 to December 2012 and remained outpatients for at least one year following surgery. Incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) was compared between patients with closed and open infection, as well as polymicrobial infection and infection related to Gram-negative bacilli (GNB). Cumulative antibiograms were performed to describe microbiological profiles., Results: Overall incidence of SSI was 6%. This incidence was significantly higher among patients with open fractures (14.7%) than among patients with closed fractures (4.2%). The proportions of patients with polymicrobial infections and infections due to GNB were also significantly higher among patients with open fractures. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) species were the primary infectious agents isolated from both groups. The overall incidence of MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) was 72%. A. baumannii was the predominant GNB isolate recovered from patients with open fractures and P. aeruginosa was the most frequent isolate recovered from patients with closed fractures, both exhibited low rates of susceptibility to carbapenems., Conclusions: Incidence of SSIs related to the internal fixation of fractures was significantly higher among patients with open fractures, indicating that an open fracture can be a risk factor for infection. Among the bacterial isolates, S. aureus (with a high prevalence of MRSA) and CoNS species were most prevalent. A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa isolates underscored the low rate of susceptibility to carbapenems that was observed in the present study.

Objective: Identify the etiology and incidence, as well to assess functional outcomes of patients, undergoing lower limb amputation after failure or complication of total knee arthroplasty. These patients were treated at the Center for Knee Surgery at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO), during the period of January 2001 to December 2010., Methods: The patients were interviewed and their charts were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate their functional outcome., Results: The incidence of amputation due to failure or complication of total knee arthroplasty was 0.41% in 2409 cases. Recurrent deep infection was the cause of amputation in 81% of cases, being Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa the most frequent germs. Vascular complications and periprosthetic fracture associated to metaphyseal bone loss were also causes of amputation. In our study, 44% of amputees patients were using orthesis and 62.5% have had the ability to walk., Conclusion: Incidence of 0.41%, being the main cause recurrent infection. The functional outcome is limited, and the fitting achieved in 44% of patients and only 62.5% are ambulatory.

Obtaining stable bone-implant interface, correct alignment of the components, proper balance of soft tissues' tension, maintenance of proper joint interline are fundamental principles for success in surgical revision total knee arthroplasty, which are only obtained with management bone deficiency. However, proper treatment of large defects remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of patients that had underwent revision surgery for total knee arthroplasty with use of structural grafts of musculoskeletal tissue bank in the period between January 2002 to December 2010 by the Knee Surgery Center of National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics (INTO). The study included 26 revision arthroplasties with homologous structural bone grafting in 25 patients. Thirty-four structural bone grafts were used during the 26 revision total knee arthroplasty surgeries studied. The proximal tibia and distal femur were the grafts most frequently used. Six patients developed deep infection and in one of them with damage to the extensor mechanism associated. The average score on the WOMAC was 24,9. In the assessment of functional capacity in the SF-36, the average was 52.5. In radiographic evaluation, resorption of the graft occurred in three patients and no cases were observed of osteolysis, fracture of the graft, migration or subsidence of the components. Bone grafting of a musculoskeletal tissue bank is a satisfactory option to the handling of the bone defect in the setting of revision surgery for total knee arthroplasty.