Bacterial infection in orthopaedic surgery can be devastating, and is associated with significant morbidity and poor functional outcomes, which may be improved if high concentrations of antibiotics can be delivered locally over a prolonged period of time. The two most widely used methods of doing this involve antibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate or collagen fleece. The former is not biodegradable and is a surface upon which secondary bacterial infection may occur. Consequently, it has to be removed once treatment has finished. The latter has been used successfully as an adjunct to systemic antibiotics, but cannot effect a sustained release that would allow it to be used on its own, thereby avoiding systemic toxicity. This review explores the newer biodegradable carrier systems which are currently in the experimental phase of development and which may prove to be more effective in the treatment of osteomyelitis.
INTRODUCTIONThe number of total knee arthroplasties performed continues to rise annually and it would be expected that complications, which include periprosthetic fractures, will also therefore become more commonplace. This article reviews the current literature regarding this injury and identifies the treatment principles that enable patients to regain optimal function.METHODSA comprehensive search of the Pubmed and Embase™ databases was performed to identify relevant articles. Keywords and MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms included in the search strategy were ‘periprosthetic fracture(s)’, ‘femur’, ‘tibia’, ‘patella(r)’, ‘complication(s)’, ‘failure(s)’, ‘risk(s)’, ‘prevalence’, ‘incidence’, ‘epidemiology’ and ‘classification(s)’. The search was limited to all articles published in English and reference lists from the original articles were reviewed to identify pertinent articles to include in this review. A total number of 43 studies were identified.RESULTSCommon treatment aims have been identified when managing patients with a periprosthetic fracture around total knee arthoplasty. The main criterion that determines which option to choose is the degree of remaining bone stock and the amount of fracture displacement.CONCLUSIONSTreatment of a periprosthetic fracture around total knee arthroplasty will either be non-operative, osteosynthesis or revision arthroplasty. It is imperative that a suitable option is chosen and based on the published literature, pathways are outlined to aid the surgeon.
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