The use of an articulating spacer in the management of infected total knee arthroplasties.

Abstract

Eleven infected total knee arthroplasties underwent revision using an articulating spacer comprising a total condylar component and meniscal polyethylene insert cemented in place using antibiotic-loaded cement. Only 1 case required subsequent rerevision for infection, 2 were revised for pain, 6 remain in situ, and 2 patients have died with their spacers in situ. Average Knee Society clinical rating for the spacers left implanted is 167 at an average of 65 months. This articulating spacer appears not to require mandatory second-stage surgery, although should this prove necessary, then it is relatively straightforward to perform.