True efficiency of arthrodesis in the treatment of periprosthetic knee infection

Introduction The rate of complications after arthrodesis of the infected knee joint is 84 %, while the incidence of ankylosis failure varies from 17 % to 80 % thereby. At the same time, purulent process recurs in 50 % of cases, and, moreover, 73 % of patients report permanent pain after arthrodesis. Purpose of the study To evaluate long-term results of arthrodesis of the knee joint in patients with periprosthetic infection. Materials and methods Treatment results in 63 patients with periprosthetic infection of the knee joint who underwent arthrodesis using the Ilizarov apparatus in the period from 2005 to 2015 were assessed. The mean follow-up period was 8 ± 2.72 years (range, 3 to 13 years). There were 21 males (33 %) and 42 females (67 %). Mean age of patients was 59.05 ± 9.64 years (range, 29 to 80 years). Results Re-infection occurred in 17 (27 %) out of 63 patients with arthrodesis procedures of the knee joint with the use of the Ilizarov apparatus. It was established that the results of arthrodesis of the knee depend on the bone defect size. Conclusions Arthrodesis of the knee joint with the use of the Ilizarov apparatus in patients with periprosthetic infection enables to eradicate infection in 73 % of cases. Consolidation of fragments of the knee joint from the first attempt of arthrodesis was observed in 73 % of patients.