Aims

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) occurs in approximately 1% to 2% of total knee arthroplasties (TKA) presenting multiple challenges, such as difficulty in diagnosis, technical complexity, and financial costs. Two-stage exchange is the gold standard for treating PJI but emerging evidence suggests 'two-in-one' single-stage revision as an alternative, delivering comparable outcomes, reduced morbidity, and cost-effectiveness. This study investigates five-year results of modified single-stage revision for treatment of PJI following TKA with bone loss.

We report ten-year clinical and radiological follow-up data for the Sigma Press Fit Condylar total knee replacement system (Sigma PFC TKR). Between October 1998 and October 1999 a total of 235 consecutive PFC Sigma TKRs were carried out in 203 patients. Patients were seen at a specialist nurse-led clinic seven to ten days before admission and at six and 18 months, three, five and eight to ten years after surgery. Data were recorded prospectively at each clinic visit. Radiographs were obtained at the five- and eight- to ten-year follow-up appointments. Of the 203 patients, 147 (171 knees) were alive at ten years and 12 were lost to follow-up. A total of eight knees (3.4%) were revised, five for infection and three to change the polyethylene insert. The survival at ten years with an endpoint of revision for any reason was 95.9%, and with an endpoint of revision for aseptic failure was 98.7%. The mean American Knee Society Score (AKSS) was 79 (10 to 99) at eight to ten years, compared with 31 (2 to 62) pre-operatively. Of 109 knee with radiographs reviewed, 47 knees had radiolucent lines but none showed evidence of loosening.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:177–80.