Surgical Technique to Manage Periprosthetic Fractures of the Knee in Patients with Infected Leg Ulcers: A Report of Two Cases

JBJS Case Connect. 2019 Jul-Sep;9(3):e0347. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.18.00347.

Abstract

Cases: We describe 2 cases of nonagenarians with periprosthetic knee fractures that were not amenable to either standard internal fixation nor prosthesis revision because of infected leg ulcers in the same limb. The fractures were internally fixed by percutaneous insertion of medial and lateral plates that spanned the knee. Both patients returned to their baseline level of activity without developing surgical site infections.

Conclusions: Percutaneous bridging plates that span the knee are a useful option for treating these difficult cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / instrumentation
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods*
  • Humans
  • Infections / complications*
  • Knee Injuries / complications
  • Knee Injuries / surgery*
  • Leg Ulcer / complications*
  • Periprosthetic Fractures / complications
  • Periprosthetic Fractures / surgery*