Advanced Erosive Gouty Arthropathy of the Knee

Abstract

A 57-year-old male, with chronic bilateral knee pain and a history of poorly controlled hyperuricemia leading to gouty attacks, underwent orthopedic assessment. Radiographic and MRI findings confirmed chronic gouty arthropathy with erosive bony defects, the most significant on the right proximal tibia. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was performed without any complications, addressing the bony defect with cement and a semi-constrained prosthesis. However, a gouty attack led to prolonged wound discharge and periprosthetic infection postoperatively, prompting revision surgery with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR). Intraoperative cultures revealed methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The treatment included vancomycin and rifampicin. Two years post-surgery, the patient walked pain-free with a knee range of motion of 0-90º. This report highlights the complexity of treating goutrelated knee osteoarthritis, emphasizing early intervention to mitigate risks of extensive surgical procedures and infections.