Infection of a total knee prosthesis revealed by deep infection of the posterior leg compartment: a case report

We report a case of infection of a non-cemented total knee prosthesis that led to abscess formation in the posterior compartment of the leg. This case illustrates the deleterious effect of screws used to fix the non-cemented articular surface of the tibia. infection, like osteolysis due to polyethyt ene granuloma, can develop along the screw tract and reach the posterior co mpartment, especially when the screw protrudes through the posterior cortic al of the tibia. Diffusion of an intra-articular event into the posterior c ompartment should be suspected in patients with a total knee prosthesis who experience calf pain.