The Hazards of Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report in Illustration

Abstract

Infections and periprosthetic fractures are uncommon but dreaded complications of total knee arthroplasty which carry attendant morbidity and prolonged hospitalization and necessitate repeat surgery. We present a patient with a total knee arthroplasty who had both intra-operative and post-operative periprosthetic fractures who subsequently developed infection of the prosthesis necessitating revision surgery. This was complicated too by positive intra-operative tissue cultures. The clinical course, presentation and management are discussed. Total knee arthroplasty is a frequently performed and successful operation and its complications are challenging to address and require early recognition by the surgeon with appropriate referral to a dedicated arthroplasty surgeon as needed.