Compression arthrodesis can be used as a salvage procedure in failed
total knee replacement. In fourteen patients so treated, the fusion failed
in five. As regards the cause of failure, the most important factor was
technical inadequacy of the arthrodesis procedure; that is, the required
stable fixation and solid bone-to-bone contact. In procedures that we
considered technically adequate, there was fusion in seven of the nine
knees. The fusion seemed to be delayed in these patients, averaging 5.3
months (range, two to twelve months). Fixation with a double clamp seemed
to be more effective than with a single clamp.