0
Articles   |    
Arthrodesis of the knee with intramedullary nail fixation

The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.  1990; 72:433-442 
5 Recommendations (Recommend) | 3 Comments | Saved by 3 Users Save Case
text A A A

Abstract

Thirty-three patients had an arthrodesis of the knee by means of an intramedullary nail introduced through the greater trochanter. Fifteen of the procedures were done for a failed knee arthroplasty; eight had failed because of infection and seven, because of aseptic loosening. Twenty-nine of the thirty-three knees united three to four months after the first attempt at arthrodesis and three united after technical errors were corrected. One knee had a broken nail and a non-union; this was still untreated at the time of writing. Four nails broke: three in the line of fusion and one in the line of an infected supracondylar pseudarthrosis of the femur. No new infections developed after the arthrodesis. Three patients had had an infection and a chronic fistula before the arthrodesis, and the fistulae healed six, fourteen, and eighteen months postoperatively. In another patient, who had had infection and necrosis of the skin preoperatively, the wound healed in six months. All of these knees healed without an additional major operation. The functional result was satisfactory in all patients. After the arthrodesis, seventeen of the thirty-three patients needed less aid when walking, and no patient needed more aid. Fusion of the knee with a long intramedullary nail can be safe and effective, even in the presence of infection, if the revision is performed properly and certain technical principles are followed. It is especially important to establish good contact between the resected bones.

Figures in this Article
    This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.

    Topics

    Accreditation Statement
    These activities have been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
    CME Activities Associated with This Article
    Submit a Comment
    Please read the other comments before you post yours. Contributors must reveal any conflict of interest.
    Comments are moderated and will appear on the site at the discretion of JBJS editorial staff.

    * = Required Field
    (if multiple authors, separate names by comma)
    Example: John Doe




    Related Articles
    Related Cases
    Related Content
    Topic Collections
    Related Audio and Videos
    PubMed Articles
    Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with a curved, interlocking, intramedullary nail.
    Foot & ankle international / American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society [and] Swiss Foot and Ankle Society: Issue date- 2010 Dec
    Clinical Trials
    Readers of This Also Read...
    jbjs jobs
    12/22/2011
    ME - Central Maine Medical Center
    12/22/2011
    VA - Charleston Area Medical Center
    12/22/2011
    Virginia - Charleston Area Medical Center