VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 1 ( April, 2016 ) > List of Articles
Alfred Cyril Roy, Sandeep Albert, Mohamad Gouse, Dan Barnabas Inja
Keywords : Knee arthrodesis, External fixator, Tuberculous arthritis, Post-septic sequelae, Post-traumatic sequelae
Citation Information : Roy AC, Albert S, Gouse M, Inja DB. Functional outcome of knee arthrodesis with a monorail external fixator. 2016; 11 (1):31-35.
DOI: 10.1007/s11751-016-0247-5
License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Published Online: 01-12-2013
Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2016; The Author(s).
Several methods for obtaining knee arthrodesis have been described in the literature and world; over, the commonest cause for arthrodesis is a failed arthroplasty. Less commonly, as in this series, post-infective or traumatic causes may also require a knee fusion wherein arthroplasty may not be indicated. We present salient advantages along with the radiological and functional outcome of twenty four patients treated with a single monorail external fixator. All patients went on develop fusion at an average of 5.4 months with an average limb length discrepancy of 3 cm (1.5–6 cm). Improvements in functional outcome as assessed by the lower extremity functional score (LEFS), and the SF-36 was significant (p = 0.000). Knee arthrodesis with a single monorail external fixator is a reasonable single-staged salvage option in patients wherein arthroplasty may not be the ideal choice. The outcome, though far from ideal, is definitely positive and predictable.
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