Methods

From 2002 to 2018, 16,134 primary TKAs were performed at a single institution. Twenty-six patients (0.1%) had a traumatic wound dehiscence within the first 30 days. Mean age was 68, 38% were female, and mean BMI was 33 kg/m2. Median time to dehiscence was 13 days. The dehiscence resulted from a fall in 22 cases, including 4 in-hospital falls (3 with femoral nerve blocks), and sudden flexion after staple removal in 4 cases. The arthrotomy was disrupted in 58%, including a complete extensor mechanism disruption in 4 knees. A surgical debridement was performed within 48 hours in 19 of 26 knees. Two-thirds were discharged on antibiotic therapy.