Recurrent hemarthrosis after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Recurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty can be disabling, requiring adequate and immediate diagnosis and treatment for recovery of symptoms and joint function. The most commonly reported cause is impingement of proliferative synovium between prosthetic components. Although various procedures for hemarthrosis have been reported after knee arthroplasty for patients who do not respond to conservative treatment, the recommended first-line therapy is open surgery or embolization. Although hyperplastic synovium was observed during the first and second arthrotomy, in our case, tissue impingement was not detected. We describe a rare case of recurrent hemarthrosis after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and successful treatment by open synovectomy. A 66-year-old woman presented with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle in the right leg. She underwent UKA of the right knee of the medial condyle. Eighteen months after UKA, the patient developed recurrent hemarthrosis. Open arthrotomy was performed 22 months after UKA, revealing only hematoma with no obvious hemorrhage or loosening of the prosthesis. No history of trauma or use of anticoagulant medications was present. After a symptom-free period of 8 months, another 2 episodes of hemarthrosis occurred over the course of 8 months. A second open arthrotomy was performed. Hyperplastic synovium with fibrin and hemosiderin pigmentation was observed, again without hemorrhage or loosening. There were no pathological features of pigmented villonodular synovitis. Synovectomy was performed, and no hemarthrosis has recurred for 2 years.     

Embolization of traumatic pseudoaneurysms after total knee arthroplasty

We report on 2 cases of traumatic pseudoaneurysm after total knee arthroplasty. In one patient, a hemarthrosis and a pulsatile antecubital mass developed 1 month after arthroplasty, prompting angiography. In the second patient, evacuation of a large hemarthrosis was performed before angiography and embolization. In both patients, the pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated without the need for surgical repair, using percutaneous thrombin injection or transcatheter embolization. No recurrence of hemarthrosis was seen in either patient at up to 24 months of follow-up evaluation. These cases show the use of angiography in reconstructed joints when acute or delayed hemarthrosis occurs, and the role of embolization techniques in this setting.     

Therapeutic embolization of the genicular arteries for recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty

The case of a recurrent hemarthrosis initially presenting 30 months after a total knee arthroplasty in a patient on lifelong warfarin is described. Angiography was used to aid in the diagnosis, and therapeutic selective embolization of the superior genicular arteries was performed with satisfactory clinical results.     

Recurrent hemarthrosis following total knee arthroplasty. Report of a case treated with arterial embolization

Recurrent spontaneous hemarthrosis of the knee is common and often related to a detectable cause. In contrast, hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty is rare and frequently unexplained. We report a case of recurrent hemarthrosis 6 years after total knee arthroplasty. The cause was hypervascularization about the joint, and embolization therapy was effective.     

Geniculate Artery Embolization in Patients With Recurrent Hemarthrosis After Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study

BackgroundRecurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty is an uncommon and disabling complication of this frequently performed procedure. Selective endovascular embolization of the geniculate arteries is one of the therapeutic options to manage this complication. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of this treatment in patients suffering from recurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 31 patients (39 embolization procedures) with recurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty. There were 17 men and 14 women with a median age of 67 years (range 48-90). All patients were referred for geniculate artery embolization between January 2007 and November 2016.ResultsTwenty-seven procedures were executed on the right side and 12 on the left side. Total knee arthroplasty was performed on 29 patients, only 2 patients underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Embolization of the superior geniculate arteries was achieved in all patients. In 12 of 39 procedures (31%), at least 1 of the inferior geniculate arteries could not be catheterized, therefore embolization was achieved through collaterals. Symptomatic improvement was observed in 26 of 31 patients (84%). Discomfort or mild postprocedural pain was observed in most patients, needing only minor pain medication, mostly resolving within 24 hours. Two patients presented with a severe complication: a 48-year-old male patient developed septic arthritis and an 85-year-old hypertensive female patient treated with anticoagulants showed aseptic necrosis of the femoral condyles.ConclusionEmbolization of geniculate arteries is a safe and effective treatment in recurrent hemarthrosis post knee arthroplasty. Clinical improvement was seen in most patients.     

Recurrent hemarthrosis in a hemophilic patient after revision total knee arthroplasty

Recurrent hemarthrosis following a revision total knee arthroplasty is a rare complication. The likelihood of encountering bleeding complications in patients with hemophilia C following major surgery is unpredictable. Although the use of postoperative chemotherapeutic agents to prevent deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is considered the standard of care for most patients, its use in the hemophiliac population is unknown. This case describes a woman with Hemophilia C who presented with recurrent hemarthrosis 9 days after her revision total knee arthroplasty. Initial treatment efforts were directed towards treating the patient's underlying coagulopathy. Repeated transfusions of fresh frozen plasma and desmopressin were given in an attempt to achieve hemostasis. However the hemarthrosis did not resolve and 36 days postoperatively, a pseudoaneurysm of the left superior geniculate artery was found by angiography and percutaneously embolized. This article presents the first case, to our knowledge, of recurrent hemarthrosis in a hemophiliac patient after revision total knee arthroplasty. It further highlights the importance of considering all possible causes of postoperative bleeding to make a timely diagnosis in the face of a confounding clinical picture.     

Spontaneous hemarthrosis 6 years after total knee arthroplasty

Spontaneous hemarthrosis is an uncommon complication of total knee arthroplasty. We report the case of a tense hemarthrosis developing 6 years after total knee arthroplasty as a result of a prominent superolateral femoral flare eroding through an atherosclerotic superior lateral genicular artery.     

Therapeutic embolization for the treatment of recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty due to an arteriovenous fistula

We describe the case of a 79-year-old woman who presented with recurrent hemarthrosis 8 years after primary total knee arthroplasty. An arteriovenous fistula of the superior lateral geniculate artery was diagnosed by arteriography after arthroscopy of the knee revealed multiple organized hematomata with minimal synovitis. The arteriovenous fistula was treated by percutaneous coil embolization and the symptoms resolved.     

血友病关节炎人工膝关节置换及围手术期处理

目的探讨对血友病关节炎患者行人工膝关节置换的临床效果及其围手术期处理方法。方法1997年2月至2006年2月在血液内科的配合下,在围手术期行凝血因子Ⅷ和Ⅸ活性水平及抑制性抗体监测,强化凝血因子替代补充,我们对4例血友病关节炎患者共6个膝关节行人工膝关节置换治疗。术后平均随访4．4年,记录关节功能改善程度及并发症处理。结果血友病关节炎患者行人工膝关节置换可以使关节疼痛明显缓解,步行距离、上下楼梯和坐位起立等功能明显改善,关节活动度增加。术后早期3个膝关节出现关节内血肿或肌肉出血,其中1例患者因凝血因子Ⅷ抑制性抗体形成,单侧膝关节出现伤口愈合问题,1例患者一过性腓总神经麻痹,1例患者发生静脉循环危象。术后晚期1例患者出现双肘关节出血,但无晚期感染、假体松动、移位和断裂。结论人工膝关节置换可以为重度血友病性关节炎患者减轻关节疼痛,改善关节功能,但是围手术期并发症较多,需要密切监测凝血因子Ⅷ或Ⅸ活性,监测抑制性抗体形成,防止各种早期和晚期并发症的发生。     

Infection after an open supracondylar fracture above a total knee arthroplasty treated with the supracondylar nail

A 72-year-old man with an open fracture above a total knee arthroplasty was treated with a supracondylar intramedullary nail. Five months after internal fixation, the patient developed a Staphylococcus aureus infection of the knee, which resolved after a 42-day course of IV antibiotics. After reimplantation with a posteriorly stabilized condylar total knee arthroplasty using femoral and tibial stems with vancomycin-impregnated cement, the patient has been pain-free and ambulatory at 8 months' follow-up. The supracondylar nail may be an acceptable internal fixation device for closed fractures above a total knee arthroplasty, but, if possible, open fractures in this location may be better treated with fixation devices that do not violate the knee joint.     

Recurrent hemarthrosis after knee joint arthroplasty: etiology and treatment

This study reports the results for 10 patients with recurrent hemarthrosis after knee joint arthroplasty. The average interval between arthroplasty and the first instance of hemarthrosis was at 26 months, and the average number of hemarthroses per patient was 3.8. In 3 patients, the bleeding responded to simple conservative measures. The remaining 7 needed surgery; there were 6 arthroscopic synovectomies and 1 polyethylene revision. Impingement of the proliferative synovium was observed in only 2 patients during surgical intervention. In the 2 patients in whom arthroscopic management was successful, another procedure with an electric coagulator, in addition to a formal synovectomy, was performed. The use of a coagulator may be helpful for direct coagulation when arthroscopic management is selected, although open synovectomy is curative in most cases.     

Allograft closure of lateral release after revision total knee arthroplasty

Lateral patellar retinacular release (lateral release) is a common technique for resolving patellar tracking issues during total knee arthroplasty. Complications such as hemarthrosis, wound healing complications, patellar fracture, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and medial subluxation of the patella have been described. This is a case presentation of a 69-year-old woman who developed severe prepatellar bursitis from a sinus tract resulting from a lateral release after total knee arthroplasty. After failing nonoperative modalities, she was treated with an allograft dermal tissue graft (AlloDerm; LifeCell Corp, Branchburg, NJ) over the defect, which has resulted in resolution of symptoms at 2-year follow-up.     

Candida infection after total knee arthroplasty: Management without resection or amphotericin B

A rare case of Candida infection after revision total knee arthroplasty that was treated medically, without amphotericin B or resection arthroplasty, is reported. This case occurred in an elderly patient without predisposing medical problems. The patient was treated with only a suppressive dose of ketoconazole. The patient was last evaluated 6 years after the revision surgery and had no problem or signs of infection. Factors contributing to successful medical treatment in this case were likely the routine debridement at revision surgery and the patient's intact immune system.     

Recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty

Seven patients developed recurrent hemarthroses following total knee arthroplasty. The average interval between arthroplasty and the first bleed was more than 20 months (range, 1–30 months). All seven required open synovectomy an average of 21 months (6–31 months) after arthroplasty. Follow-up evaluation averaged 44 months (19–60 months) and all had an excellent result without further bleeds. A prolific synovitis was seen in all cases, with histologic features revealing a chronic synovitis with fibrosis and hemosiderin staining. Entrapment of the proliferative synovial tissue between the components is postulated to be the etiology for these recurrent bleeds which averaged four per patient prior to synovectomy.     

Magnetic resonance angiography in the management of recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty

Spontaneous hemarthrosis is an infrequent but disabling complication after total knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this case series is to demonstrate the utility of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the evaluation of hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty. Patients presenting with hemarthrosis unexplained by trauma, anticoagulation, or a bleeding diathesis were retrospectively identified. Eighteen patients were referred for MRA to evaluate recurrent hemarthrosis after failing conservative therapy (n = 16) or synovectomy (n = 2). Despite artifact caused by the metallic components, diagnostic evaluation of regional vessels was made. In 12 of 13 cases that underwent embolization or synovectomy, a hypertrophic feeding artery (or arteries) was visualized on MRA. One case of negative MRA did not have subsequent surgery, and we are unable to comment on the rate of false-positives because all patients in this case series had evidence of bleeding. By characterizing the vascular anatomy and identifying a dominant artery (or arteries) supplying the hypervascular synovium, MRA can serve as a guide for subsequent embolization or synovectomy, as indicated.     

Synovectomy of the knee for hemophilic arthropathy

Synovectomy of the knee for the control of recurrent hemarthrosis was performed in thirteen patients with hemophilic arthropathy. Preoperatively, all patients had experienced an average of three bleeding episodes into the affected joint per month, and had been unresponsive to at least six months of medical management. Radiographically, all knees had either Stage-II or Stage-III hemophilic arthropathy. The average age of the patients at the time of synovectomy was sixteen years and the average length of follow-up was 7.3 years (range, two to eleven years and seven months). Although the motion of the knee remained unchanged postoperatively in two patients, ten patients had an average loss of 41 degrees. One patient eventually required an arthrodesis. Radiographically, there was slight further joint deterioration after synovectomy, and no knee progressed beyond Stage-III hemophilic arthropathy. Only one patient in our series had a recurrent spontaneous hemarthrosis of the synovectomized knee, although two others had traumatic bleeding episodes. The complications included three immediate postoperative hemarthrosis requiring surgical evacuation, isoimmune hemolytic anemia in one patient, patellofemoral adhesions in two knees, and a total fibrous ankylosis that required a knee arthrodesis in one patient. It was concluded from our study that chronic recurrent hemarthrosis and the pain associated with persistent synovitis in the hemophilic knee can be effectively eliminated for as many as twelve years after open synovectomy, although usually with significant loss of motion of the knee. This procedure also appeared to slow the progression of arthropathy, and no patient had been considered for a total knee replacement at the time of writing.     

Extended medial gastrocnemius rotational flap for treatment of chronic knee extensor mechanism deficiency in patients with and without total knee arthroplasty

Nine patients with chronic extensor mechanism disruption were treated with an extended medial gastrocnemius rotational flap reconstruction of the extensor mechanism. Seven patients previously had total knee arthroplasty and two patients had chronic infection of nonreplaced, native knees. Four patients previously had failed Achilles' tendon allograft reconstruction after total knee arthroplasty and two were complicated by infection. Infected arthroplasty patients had a staged procedure with placement of an antibiotic spacer after debridement and extended medial gastrocnemius rotational flap, followed by total knee arthroplasty replant 8 weeks later. The four infected arthroplasty patients had medical comorbidities that included a patient with HIV and hemophilia, and two with diabetes mellitus. Another patient with rheumatoid arthritis was severely malnourished as a result of dumping syndrome. Of the four patients treated by this two-stage procedure, one died in the early postoperative period from chronic medical issues after the second stage and another patient elected to have above-knee amputation after the first stage because of severe reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The final group of seven patients was studied at a mean followup of 21 months (range, 7-31 months), the average extensor lag was 13.5 degrees (range, 0-50 degrees ), and the average range of motion was 2 degrees to 93 degrees . The two patients with nonreplaced, native knees had extensor lags of 30 degrees and 10 degrees . All patients were able to regain sufficient extensor mechanism strength to return to independent ambulation, and all infections resolved after treatment. Two patients were able to ascend stairs foot over foot without support. In addition to the patient who had amputation, the other complication involved a wound breakdown that required a free flap at 13 months in a patient who had a failed Achilles' tendon allograft reconstruction after takedown of a knee fusion. Medial gastrocnemius flap reconstruction can provide successful salvage of a failed extensor mechanism allograft or an alternative to allograft reconstruction in patients with poor soft tissue coverage, previous infection, or a compromised immune system.     

Locking mechanism failure between tibial baseplate and polyethylene insert in cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty

We describe a case of total knee arthroplasty performed with one type of cruciate retaining knee prosthesis (Vanguard CR, Zimmer Biomet), wherein failure of locking mechanism occurred between the tibial baseplate and the polyethylene insert 10 months after initial surgery. While there are very few case reports in literature describing such locking mechanism failure, all of these have been in constrained and posterior stabilized knees. This case, to the best of our knowledge is the first such case seen with a cruciate retaining knee design. A 73-year old lady, having undergone left total knee arthroplasty with the above-mentioned prosthesis, presented 10 months after the index surgery with a 3-week history of worsening knee pain and medially protruding hardware. She mentioned an episode of minor twisting of her knee after which she developed pain and swelling over the medial aspect, and was found to have the locking bar backed out on X-rays. She underwent revision surgery, wherein the locking bar was found to have buttonholed through the medial capsule. She underwent polyethylene liner exchange, with a new locking bar. There was no evidence of infection. Her symptoms fully settled following revision surgery.     

Patellar tendon bone grafting for patellectomized patients having total knee arthroplasty

A technique for restoring the moment arm to improve quadriceps leverage after patellectomy has been developed and used in patients treated with total knee arthroplasty. Essentials of the technique involve use of a 2.5-cm diameter by 1-cm thick bone graft sewn into the previous anatomical position of the patella, using a subsynovial pouch for stabilization. Clinically, seven knees in six patients were treated with patellar tendon bone grafting during total knee arthroplasty. The final outcome of these patients was evaluated from 24 to 125 months (mean, 75.4 months). Good to excellent results were demonstrated in six of seven knees (85.7%) with sufficient extension power for normal gait in most cases. Failure to achieve painless, active extension was seen in one patient following revision knee arthroplasty complicated by chronic reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the knee. Patellar tendon bone grafting improves quadriceps leverage in previously patellectomized knees and is useful in restoring extensor function in such patients having primary or revision knee arthroplasty.