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The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 68-B, Issue 2 | Pages 289 - 291
1 Mar 1986
Johnson D Bannister G

In order to define the predisposing factors and outcome of infected arthroplasty of the knee, a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 471 knee arthroplasties was performed. There were 23 cases of superficial wound infection and 25 of deep infection. Superficial wound infection alone resulted in a painfree gait, with little limitation of movement. Rheumatoid arthritis, the use of constrained prostheses and the presence of a superficial wound infection, all predisposed to deep infection. Deep infection was eradicated by long-term antibiotics in only two patients in whom skin cover was successfully provided by a gastrocnemius musculocutaneous flap. Excision of a sinus track, wound debridement and exchange arthroplasty were universally unsuccessful. Arthrodesis, however, in 11 out of 12 cases, provided the painfree gait these patients desire.