Abstract
Introduction: It is well known that the using of Internal – External fixation for knee fusion has a high rate of failure.
Aim: This announcement has to do with a new technique for knee fusion which promises low rate of failure and a safe knee arthrodesis. The whole technique has to do with a new type of modular Titanium intramedular nail.
Materials and Methods: Between 2000 and 2002, two knee fusions have been done using this technique at two different patients. In both cases the main problem was the loosening of the components due to previous local infection in the first case and serious instability with suspicions of infection in the second one. The material is a modular device and it is consisted of two stems (femoral – tibial) just like the ones for THR which are connected together with a central part at the level of knee joint. The placement of the two stems is independent for each one and has to do with cement-less technique (press fit) starting from the joint level and then follows the reduction with the central part. In our both cases, bone allografts have been used.
Results: Knee fusion has been achieved in first place in both cases at 3 and 4 months respectively. The mobility of both patients is excellent and the grade of satisfaction high, after 2 years and 10 months of follow up respectively.
Conclusions: This technique has the advantages of intra-medular nailing, it is simple and safe, you can control the amount of shortening, and due to small surface of the device it can promises low rate of infection.
The abstracts were prepared by Eleni Koutsoukou. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Hellenic Association of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (HAOST), 20, A. Fleming str, 15123 Marousi, Athens, Greece.
