Knee arthrodesis as primary surgery is very rare now a days because of success of knee arthroplasty. It usually is reserved for patients who are not candidates for total knee replacement or where arthrodesis is be more appropriate than arthroplasty due to age , occupation, weight or activity.

Apart from this following patients can undergo arthrodesis are

• Painful stiffness of knee after infection, tuberculosis or injury
• Severe deformity in paralytic conditions
• Neuropathic arthropathy [Charcot joint]
• Malignancy around the knee.

The most frequent indication for knee arthrodesis at present is salvage of a failed total knee arthroplasty. [Read more...]