Surgical Techniques
Antibiotic impregnated total femur spacers: a technical tip
Simultaneous prosthetic joint infection of ipsilateral hip and knee arthroplasties is often accompanied by significant bone loss and presents a challenging reconstructive problem. Two-stage reconstruction is favored and requires the placement of a total femur spacer, which is not a commercially available device. We describe a surgical technique, reporting on 2 cases in which a customized total femur antibiotic impregnated spacer was created by combining an articulating knee spacer and an articulating hip spacer with a reinforced cement dowel construct connecting the 2 spacers.External fixator immobilization after extensor mechanism reconstruction in total knee arthroplasty
Extensor mechanism disruption after total knee arthroplasty is a complicated problem that typically requires surgical reconstruction. After extensor mechanism failure, reconstruction is typically indicated to restore active knee extension and provide a stable limb for ambulation. Immobilization of the knee in extension is vital in the initial postoperative period after extensor mechanism reconstruction. We describe a series of 4 patients who underwent extensor mechanism reconstruction followed by external fixator application to maintain the knee extended in the initial postoperative period.
