Satisfaction of Patients with Above-the-knee Amputation following Periprosthetic Joint Infection / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes and satisfaction in periprosthetic knee infection patients after above-the-knee amputation （AKA）. MethodsA review was performed in 13 patients who underwent AKA due to periprosthetic knee infection from October 2010 to August 2022， there were 7 females and 6 males with the median age of 69 （45~ 73） years. The mean number of surgical procedures between primary total knee arthroplasty and AKA was 2.9 times （range： 1 ~ 6）. Patients were segregated into non-elderly group （including patients <65 years old） and elderly group （involving patients ≥65 years old）. Functional outcomes were evaluated by SF-12 and Barthel activities daily living index （Barthel ADL index）. Patient satisfaction was accomplished through a questionnaire. ResultsFour patients died within 6 months after the amputation. Three patients received surgical procedures for recurrent infections after AKA. In the remaining 9 patients，the median time from AKA to the final follow-up was 4.2 （1.9~8.2） years， three patients received surgical procedures for recurrent infections after AKA. Patients in non-elderly group showed better functional outcomes than elderly patients after AKA （both P<0.05）. All patients in non-elderly group were fitted with a prosthesis. Whereas， elderly patients reported a better satisfaction after AKA than young patients. ConclusionYoung PJI patients seemed to have better function and ambulatory ability with high expectation and demand， which made them feel less satisfied about AKA. Meanwhile，despite poor function outcomes due to the less healthy physical condition， the alleviation of financial and psychological burdens resulting from reinfections and multiple surgeries and the less demand in function and daily activities made elderly patients have a good satisfaction after AKA.