Triple fracture during rehabilitation after revision total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The incidence of periprosthetic fractures after knee-joint implant revisions is increasing in prevalence. We present a method of treatment for a patient who sustained a triple fracture--a periprosthetic femur fracture, a patella fracture, and a tibial shaft fracture.

METHODS:

The femoral fracture was treated with a specially designed intramedullary nail, the patella fracture with a figure-of-eight suture, and the tibial shaft fracture by a minimal-invasive plate osteosynthesis using a percutaneous plating technique.

RESULTS:

Osseous consolidation was confirmed, and the patient presented a satisfying range of movement under full-weight-bearing conditions after mobilisation.

CONCLUSIONS:

Simultaneous multiple periprosthetic fractures are a special challenge, and in situ coupling of the endoprosthesis with a slotted hollow nail presents a valuable option for the treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Level V, Expert opinion.

• Authors: Christof Meyer, Gabor Szalay, Volker Alt, Reinhard Schnettler
• Journal: Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA (Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc) Vol. 22 Issue 11 Pg. 2662-4 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1433-7347 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 23716014 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee (adverse effects, rehabilitation)
• Bone Nails
• Bone Plates
• Femoral Fractures (etiology, surgery)
• Fracture Fixation, Internal (methods)
• Humans
• Knee Prosthesis (adverse effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osteoarthritis, Knee (surgery)
• Patella (injuries, surgery)
• Periprosthetic Fractures (etiology, surgery)
• Physical Therapy Modalities (adverse effects)
• Prosthesis-Related Infections (etiology, surgery)
• Reoperation
• Tibial Fractures (etiology, surgery)
• Weight-Bearing