Justin Chin Zheng Yao, Khairul Anwar Ayob, Jayaletchumi Gunasagaran

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (NOCERAL), Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Keywords: Enterobacter cloacae, open knee wound, prosthetic joint infection, traumatic knee injury

Abstract

Knee arthroplasties are successful procedures that allow patients to return to their pre-arthritic functional levels. However, the success rates can be blemished by prosthetic joint infections, which are devastating complications that commonly render patients worse off than before the index surgery. Inoculation of the pathogens is frequently from the index surgery, or through the bloodstream. Herein, we report a case of a prosthetic joint infection by which the pathogens were most likely inoculated from direct contact, through a traumatic open knee wound occurring from a road traffic accident. Management of the infection, involving an incision & drainage with modular parts exchange, as well as the challenges with the soft tissue envelope is highlighted. At one year of follow-up, the infection seemed to be curtailed. Currently, the patient is very satisfied with the condition of his knee, which has a range of motion of 0 to 135 and his pre-morbid function has been regained. This case denotes the importance of early identification, soft tissue management, as well as a multidisciplinary approach in managing such conditions.

Citation: Yao CHZ, Ayob KA, Gunasagaran J. A traumatic open knee wound in a replaced knee resulting in a prosthetic joint infection. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2022;33(1):225-229.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

Financial Disclosure

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.