OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODSBetween 1983 and 2000, 6 patients with infection after TKAs were treated, including 2 men and 4 women, aged on average 63 years (44 - 75 years). Initial knee arthroplasty was performed for osteoarthritis in 4 patients and for rheumatoid arthritis in 2 knees. The timing of diagnosis of infection after knee arthroplasty averaged 50 months (range, 1 month-11 years). Simple debridement and antibiotic treatment were prescribed for 3 patients, debridement and one-stage reimplantation for 1, debridement and two-stage reimplantation for 1, and athrodesis for 1.

RESULTSOf the 3 patients with simple debridement, one was cured, one failed but underwent athrodesis later, and one lost to follow up. Two patients with reimplantation were cured and had good function recovery. All of the 6 patients were followed up on average for 4 years. No infection recurred except one who lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSManagement of infection after total knee arthroplasty includes antibiotic suppression and debridement with prosthesis retention, insertion of another prosthesis as a one-stage or two-stage exchange technique, knee arthrodesis and amputation. These treatments have specific indications. To treat infection after total knee arthroplasty, suitable method should be taken according to patient's condition. Arthrodesis is the best salvage operation, though it may handicap patients' daily life. Reimplantation of another prosthesis could maintain a functional joint.