AMPUTATION AFTER FAILED TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

From 1983 to 1992, nine above-knee amputations were performed in eight patients for complications after total knee arthroplasty. The mean ti me from the initial knee replacement to amputation was 9.7 years. The average age of the four men and four women was 72 years. Eight knees h ad chronic infection and one had intractable pain after four revision attempts for aseptic loosening. Most patients had two revision arthrop lasties after the original implant. In this series, the common factors that lead to amputation were multiple revision attempts in the presen ce of chronic infection, severe bone loss, and intractable pain. Earli er consideration of arthrodesis rather than multiple revision attempts is recommended to avoid such a poor outcome.