EXPERIENCE OF USING OF ARTICULATING SPACERS IN THE TREATMENT OF PURULENT COMPLICATIONS OF PRIMARY KNEE JOINT ENDOPROSTHETIC SURGERY

The study evaluates the clinical efficacy and safety of using articulating Hinge spacers in the treatment of purulent complications following primary knee arthroplasty. The study was conducted at the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, involving 20 patients (12 men and 8 women) aged 30 to 60 years. All patients underwent revision surgery with the removal of the infected endoprosthesis and implantation of an articulating Hinge spacer. Good clinical outcomes were achieved in 86% of patients. In 12 out of 14 patients with temporary spacers, successful staged re-arthroplasty was performed, while in 6 patients, permanent spacers provided satisfactory functional recovery and pain reduction. The results confirm the high feasibility of incorporating articulating spacers into revision orthopedic practice.