Of 4171 total knee arthroplasties that were performed at our institution
from 1973 to 1987, sixty-seven were followed by infection. The risk of
infection was significantly increased in patients, particularly men, who
had rheumatoid arthritis; in patients who had ulcers of the skin; and in
patients who had had a previous operation on the knee. Infection was also
associated with obesity, recurrent urinary-tract infection, and oral use of
steroids, although the correlation was not statistically significant. Of
the various treatment options that were studied, removal and delayed
replacement of the knee prosthesis resulted in the best functional
results.