Knee

Knee Revision Surgery and Protocols

Total Knee Revision Surgery is performed when a primary knee replacement fails. The surgery is tailored to each patient, addressing the specific cause of the failure. It can range from a simple replacement of bearings to more complex reconstructions.

Revision prostheses are more intricate than the original ones, as they are designed to correct bone deficiencies and rebuild the knee joint.

Knee prosthesis infection is very difficult to treat and requires prolonged treatment with antibiotics, and usually requires 2 separate staged surgeries.

Knee Prosthesis Infection:

Knee prosthesis infections are particularly challenging and usually require a two-stage surgical approach.

1st Stage Surgery:

The infected prosthesis is removed, and the knee joint is meticulously cleaned.
A temporary antibiotic knee spacer is inserted to treat the infection.
A Lautenbach irrigation system, consisting of pipes placed around the joint, is used to deliver antibiotics directly to the infected area.
The system remains in place as needed, and once removed, the patient continues with oral antibiotics and is monitored closely until the infection is fully cleared.

2nd Stage Surgery:

Once the infection is resolved, the antibiotic spacer is removed.
The joint is cleaned again, and a final revision knee prosthesis is inserted.
This prosthesis is more complex than the primary one, as it compensates for bone loss due to the infection.
A Lautenbach irrigation system may also be used during this stage to ensure no remaining infection.

Dr Robert Barrow and his experienced team, including skilled Physiotherapists, have successfully managed numerous complex revision knee replacement surgeries for over 16 years

For more information or to discuss your specific needs, please contact our practice.