Using an Antibiotic-Impregnated Cement Rod-Spacer in the Treatment of Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty
The American Journal of Orthopedics. 2009 January;38(1):31-33
January 1, 2009|The American Journal of Orthopedics
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We present a new option for treatment of post–total knee arthroplasty periprosthetic infection associated with bone destruction and massive loss—use of an antibiotic-impregnated cement rod-spacer. This rod-spacer can be custom- made, at time of surgery, with Steinmann pins, intramedullary nails, Rush rods, Harrington spine rods, bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate), and antibiotics.
We used this technique in 9 cases of periprosthetic infection over a 6-year period. The rod-spacer provided stable fixation across the knee, local antibiotic delivery, maintenance of the joint space, and preservation of soft-tissue tension around the joint through enhanced stability and length maintenance.
