Using an antibiotic-impregnated cement rod-spacer in the treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty.

We present a new option for treatment of post-total knee arthroplasty periprosthetic infection associated with bone destruction and massive loss-use of an antibiotic-impregnated cement rod-spacer. This rod-spacer can be custom- made, at time of surgery, with Steinmann pins, intramedullary nails, Rush rods, Harrington spine rods, bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate), and antibiotics. We used this technique in 9 cases of periprosthetic infection over a 6-year period. The rod-spacer provided stable fixation across the knee, local antibiotic delivery, maintenance of the joint space, and preservation of soft-tissue tension around the joint through enhanced stability and length maintenance.