Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2012, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (6): 698-700.

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The application of hemicircular external fixator for knee joint arthrodesis with tuberculosis 

ZENG Wei-nan, ZHOU Zong-ke, YANG Jing, SHEN Bing, KANG Peng-de, PEI Fu-xing   

  1. Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041,China
  • Received:2012-07-08 Online:2012-11-25 Published:2012-12-11

Abstract:

Objective To discuss the efficacy and complications of hemicircular external fixator for joint fusion of the knee with tuberculosis. Medthods A total of 8 patients with late total knee tuberculosis treated by hemicircular external fixator were retrospectively analyzed between February 2007 and January 2009. 6 men and 2 women were investigated, with the average age of 35.4 years (28~40 years), and the average duration of disease of 3.1 years (9 months to 5.1 years). An anterior median incision was performed for all patients, then followed by the fusing of knee joint in functional position using hemicircular external fixator after complete debridement, taking osseous fusion as the end point of observation. Regular chemotherapy was applied post-operation for 18 months. Results Osseous fusion were achieved in all 8 patients post-operation, with the mean fusion period of 20.5 weeks(16~24 weeks), the length of affected limb of 4.9cm (3 cm~5 cm) shorter than the unaffected limb post-operation, the mean knee joint valgus angle of 5.2°( 4°~7°), and the mean knee joint flexion angle of 15.3°(10°~20°). No patient had significant rotational deformity. There was no incision infection, nonunion, delayed union, external fixation failure happened, however, 3 patients appeared pin infection. Conclusions Hemicircular external fixator is an effective method to treat late total knee tuberculosis.

Key words:  Knee, Tuberculosis, Arthrodesis, Hemicircular external fixator

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