Femoral Nail and Cement Static Spacer Technique for the Treatment of Chronic Periprosthetic Knee Infection

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new surgical technique using a femoral nail and cement to treat chronic knee infections after joint replacement.

Contribution

A novel, stable, and durable static spacer technique using a femoral nail and cement for chronic knee periprosthetic joint infection.

Findings

The technique allows immediate weight-bearing without a brace during the spacer stage.

It provides a reproducible and stable solution for surgeons treating chronic knee infections.

The method supports delayed reimplantation for high-risk patients if needed.

Abstract

A 2-stage protocol is standard of care treatment in the United States for chronic periprosthetic joint infection of the knee. While many patients benefit from insertion of an articulating spacer, there are instances in which this is not feasible, and a static spacer is indicated. However, many static spacer techniques risk instability and lack durability. The ideal static spacer construct should provide immediate brace-free weight-bearing to maximize function during the spacer stage and, if needed, permit delayed reimplantation in the case of medically high-risk patients. Here, we describe our surgical technique for a femoral nail and cement static spacer in the treatment of chronic knee periprosthetic joint infection, a reproducible, stable, and durable construct essential to the armamentarium of the arthroplasty surgeon.

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