Salvage Procedures for Failed Total Knee Arthroplasty

Revision total knee arthroplasty for aseptic loosening or following infection can pose formidable challenges to the reconstructive surgeon. In some cases, the patient will undergo a series of operations, each resulting in ever-increasing bone loss. In extreme circumstances, the end result may be amputation, arthrodesis, or permanent resection arthroplasty. Isiklar et al.1, in a study of amputation following total knee arthroplasty, found that patients had undergone an average of six operative procedures prior to having an amputation. In a review of patients who had a reinfection following reimplantation for an infection at the site of a total knee arthroplasty, Hanssen et al.2 found that patients had undergone an average of thirteen operative procedures.