Outcomes of Knee Arthrodesis with Ilizarov Circular Fixator in Postinfective and Failed Arthroplasty Cases

Background: Knee arthrodesis is used for complex postinfective and failed total knee arthroplasty (TKA) cases. The Ilizarov circular external fixator gives stable fixation, deformity correction, and infection control. Materials and Methods: Six patients with postinfective knee destruction, or failed infected TKA, underwent arthrodesis using the Ilizarov circular fixator between 2018 and 2021. Outcomes assessed by fusion rate, time to union, infection control, limb length discrepancy (LLD), complications, and functional results. Results: Fusion was achieved in five of six patients (83.3%) with a mean duration of 7.2 months. Infection was controlled in all cases. Mean postfusion LLD was 2.1 cm. Two patients developed pin-tract infection, and one had a nonunion requiring amputation. Functional results were excellent in two, good in three, and poor in one. Conclusion: Ilizarov circular fixation is an effective salvage procedure for infected knee or failed knee arthroplasty, it good fusion and infection control with acceptable complications.