PRIMARY KNEE ARTHRODESIS

Because of progressive development in the field of knee arthroplasty, currently there are fewer indications for primary knee arthrodesis. Pr imary knee arthrodesis is indicated in acute or chronic infections in which conservative treatment has failed, monoarticular arthritis in yo ung patients if total knee replacement is not suitable, unstable knee joints caused by poliomyelitis or other neuromuscular disease, neuropa thic joint disease, in salvage of the extremities with tumors of the d istal femur and proximal tibia, and to obtain length in femur dysplasi a. The operation technique with a modified Charnley compression fixato r is described. Fifteen patients (100%) treated by this double-frame f ixator have had a solid arthrodesis 13.6 weeks after surgery. We found 5 pin infections and had to reset 2 Steinmann pins.