Management of falls after total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract

This study evaluated 78 patients who fell after total knee arthroplasty. Eight patients (10.3%) had soft-tissue injuries that led to a poor clinical course (deep infection, unplanned return to the operating room, temporary or permanent resection arthroplasty, or knee arthrodesis). Factors related to a poor clinical course included copious bleeding from the surgical wound immediately after falling, falling within 8 weeks of arthroplasty, and rupturing the parapatellar surgical wound and quadriceps repair. Patients who fall and have bleeding from their surgical wound should receive emergency surgical irrigation and debridement. A treatment protocol for patients who fall after total knee arthroplasty is presented.