Modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer in the Treatment of Peri-Prosthetic Joint Infection of the Knee—Surgical Technique and Early Clinical Evaluation

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The rate of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is expected to increase in the next years worldwide, mainly due to increasing volume of total joint replacement, longer prosthesis lifespans, and patients with multiple comorbidities. The aim of this study is to describe our personal technique, the modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer (mHAS), in which a CR femoral shield and a partially threaded cannulated screw are inserted into the liner replicating a tibial stem, and to evaluate the efficacy of the spacer as a definitive treatment option in selected patients with knee infections. <b>Methods</b>: A consecutive series of 132 patients were treated for orthopedic infection at the Orthopedic and Trauma Center, University of Turin, between November 2023 and May 2025. All patients included in the study had undergone knee prosthesis removal followed by the implantation of a modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer (mHAS). Functional recovery was evaluated through clinical examination, particularly knee range of motion, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including the Knee Society Score (KSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and the EQ-5D-5L Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). <b>Results</b>: Nine patients were enrolled in the study, at a mean follow-up of 8.12 months (range: 3-13). The mean range of motion of the knee was 95 degrees (range: 80-120°, SD: 15°). The Knee Society Score (KSS) presented a mean value of 71.9 (SD: 18.11). The Oxford Knee Score (OKS) showed a mean value of 30.8 (SD: 8.5). The EuroQol-5 Dimension-5 Level Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-5D-5L VAS) scores demonstrated an excellent quality of life among the participants. <b>Conclusions</b>: The Modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer demonstrated good functional, qualitative outcomes and eradication rates in patients who underwent the first-stage revision TKA for PKI. This has led us to propose it as a definitive treatment option for more critical and low-demand patients and to postpone the second-stage surgery in the remaining cohort due to satisfactory spacer joint function without pain.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-10-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14217605
Primary Topic
Orthopedic Infections and Treatments
Type
article
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article

Modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer in the Treatment of Peri-Prosthetic Joint Infection of the Knee—Surgical Technique and Early Clinical Evaluation

Alessandro Massè, Marianna Faggiani, Stefano Artiaco, Salvatore Risitano et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Orthopedic Infections and Treatments
article

Modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer in the Treatment of Peri-Prosthetic Joint Infection of the Knee—Surgical Technique and Early Clinical Evaluation

Alessandro Massè, Marianna Faggiani, Stefano Artiaco, Salvatore Risitano, Beatrice Limone, Marcello Capella, S Sanfilippo
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The rate of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is expected to increase in the next years worldwide, mainly due to increasing volume of total joint replacement, longer prosthesis lifespans, and patients with multiple comorbidities. The aim of this study is to describe our personal technique, the modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer (mHAS), in which a CR femoral shield and a partially threaded cannulated screw are inserted into the liner replicating a tibial stem, and to evaluate the efficacy of the spacer as a definitive treatment option in selected patients with knee infections. <b>Methods</b>: A consecutive series of 132 patients were treated for orthopedic infection at the Orthopedic and Trauma Center, University of Turin, between November 2023 and May 2025. All patients included in the study had undergone knee prosthesis removal followed by the implantation of a modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer (mHAS). Functional recovery was evaluated through clinical examination, particularly knee range of motion, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including the Knee Society Score (KSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and the EQ-5D-5L Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). <b>Results</b>: Nine patients were enrolled in the study, at a mean follow-up of 8.12 months (range: 3-13). The mean range of motion of the knee was 95 degrees (range: 80-120°, SD: 15°). The Knee Society Score (KSS) presented a mean value of 71.9 (SD: 18.11). The Oxford Knee Score (OKS) showed a mean value of 30.8 (SD: 8.5). The EuroQol-5 Dimension-5 Level Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-5D-5L VAS) scores demonstrated an excellent quality of life among the participants. <b>Conclusions</b>: The Modified Hofmann Articulated Spacer demonstrated good functional, qualitative outcomes and eradication rates in patients who underwent the first-stage revision TKA for PKI. This has led us to propose it as a definitive treatment option for more critical and low-demand patients and to postpone the second-stage surgery in the remaining cohort due to satisfactory spacer joint function without pain.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 14(21)
Azienda Ospedaliera Citta' della Salute e della Scienza di Torino (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 51%
Orthopedic Infections and Treatments
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