Comparing temporary spacer techniques for infected knee replacements
Is there a preferred articulating spacer technique for infected knee arthroplasty? A preliminary study
In simple words
An infected knee replacement is often treated in two stages, with a temporary antibiotic spacer that still lets the knee bend. This study compared three ways of making that spacer.
What the study looked at
53 patients with infected knee replacements treated in two stages with one of three moving spacers: the patient's own sterilised original component (15), a new thigh-bone component (16) or a silicone-mould spacer (22). Patients were followed for at least a year (about 3 years on average).
What it found
Infection was controlled in about 87%, 94% and 91% of patients respectively, with no meaningful difference between techniques. Final knee bending was similar (about 94° to 98°). Direct costs were about $932, $3,589 and $3,945 respectively.
Why it matters for patients
All three techniques worked about equally well, and reusing the sterilised original component cost the least.
Authors: Kalore NV, Maheshwari A, Sharma A, Cheng E, Gioe TJ · Clin Orthop Relat Res 2012;470(1):228–235