Original Research
Using an Antibiotic-Impregnated Cement Rod-Spacer in the Treatment of Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty
Am J Orthop. 2009 January;38(1):31-33
Author and Disclosure Information
Valentin Antoci, MD, PhD, Matthew J. Phillips, MD, Valentin Antoci, Jr., PhD, and Kenneth A. Krackow, MD
Dr. Valentin Antoci is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation, Texas Tech University, Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, El Paso, Texas; and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Deming Orthopaedic Services, Mimbres Memorial Hospital, Deming, New Mexico.
Dr. Phillips is Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York.
Dr. Valentin Antoci, Jr., is Medical Student, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Krackow is Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York.
We present a new option for treatment of post–total knee arthroplasty periprosthetic infection associated with bone destruction and massive loss—use of an antibiotic-impregnated cement rod-spacer. This rod-spacer can be custom- made, at time of surgery, with Steinmann pins, intramedullary nails, Rush rods, Harrington spine rods, bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate), and antibiotics.
We used this technique in 9 cases of periprosthetic infection over a 6-year period. The rod-spacer provided stable fixation across the knee, local antibiotic delivery, maintenance of the joint space, and preservation of soft-tissue tension around the joint through enhanced stability and length maintenance.