TKR in Fused Knee / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

There are many difficulties in operative technique of total knee replacement of bony ankylotic knee, because it accompanies the deformity of the knee, contracture of soft tissue and bony ankylosis. It is said that there are poor gaining of post-operative range of motion and development of many problems in wound healing. We performed conversion TKR in seventeen patients who had fused knee between Jan. 1985 and Dec. 1991. After follow up of average three years and four months, we analyse the results. Sixteen patients were women and one was man. There were eight cases of tuberculosis knees, seven cases of septic knees and two cases of posttraumatic arthritis. Thirteen cases had previous knee surgery and in another four cases knee fusion developed spontaneously. Average age of patients were 35 years old. Operation was performed between ten months and twenty years averaging nine years after knee fusion. When blood chemistry and physical examination showed no findings of infection, operation was performed. We used bone cement in 8 cases and autogenous bone graft in 4 cases for large bone defect. For release of soft tissue contracture, in 8 cases, we lengthened quadriceps tendon with the method of V-Y advancement technique and in another 4 cases, performed patella tendon transfer from tibial tuberosity. Operative time was between three hours and four hours fifteen minutes, average three hours and fourty minutes. The results of these patients were as follows; 1. The postoperative average range of motion was 72° (20°-125°). The average extension lag was 9. 2. The average Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating score improved from 57 preoperatively to 84 postoperatively. 3. There were two patients who had pain on walking, but radiologically and clinically there were no loosening signs. 4. In three patients who had poor gaining of range of motion after operation, we performed arthroscopic adhesiolysis. There were two cases of transient peroneal nerve palsy which were recovered within 1 month and in another two case of deep infection with β-hemolytic streptococcus and pseudomonas, we performed knee fusion after one year ten months and one month after TKR. In conclusion, conversion TKR is a successful procedure which can obtain the restoration of function of the fused knee, especially in the cases that have adequate soft tissue condition, extensor mechanism and good bone stock.