Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) after failed knee arthroplasty, especially in complicated courses with persisting or recurrent infections, may result in a considerable destruction of bone substance, the extensor apparatus and the surrounding soft tissue. In these cases reconstruction of a proper knee function may be impossible and the only solutions are: knee arthrodesis or above-the-knee amputation (AKA). However, both methods are associated with considerable functional deficits and high complication rates. The primary aim of the current study is to analyse the clinical course, outcome and complications in patients with knee arthrodesis and AKA after PJI and to compare these two methods in terms of the analysed parameters. Patients treated with a knee arthrodesis or AKA after PJI in an 11-year time period were included in this study. Demographic data, comorbidities, infecting characteristics and operative procedures were recorded. Patients were seen in regular intervals and underwent physical and radiographic examination. Major complications such as: re-infection, implant-failure, revision surgeries or stump healing disorders were recorded. Functional outcome with use of the Lower-Extremity-Functional-Score was assessed and the patients reported general health status (SF-12-questionnaire) was recorded.Aim
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