Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is a rare cause of prosthetic joint infection. The purpose of this study was to provide an evidence-based summarization of the outcomes of TB infection after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a pooled analysis of the reported cases.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review of published studies that have evaluated the outcomes of prosthetic knee joint infections due to TB. A structured literature review of multiple databases referenced articles from January 1950 to July 2012.
Results: A total of 15 patients were identified from 13 published studies. Tuberculosis was confirmed in all cases by histological examination and positive culture or histochemical stain/polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Treatment consisted of anti-tuberculosis medication therapy (AMT) only in 2 patients, AMT plus debridement and retention of the arthroplasty in 5 patients, and AMT plus removal/exchange of the arthroplasty in 8 patients. The average follow-up after TB infection was 29 months (range 1-96 months) and there were 3 deaths, giving a crude death rate of 0.7 per 100 person-months. At the final follow-up, the outcomes of TB infection after TKA were good except in the 3 patients who died.
Conclusions: TB infection after TKA is a rare disease, however good clinical outcomes can be achieved with proper management including AMT and surgical intervention.