Use of cemented spacer with a handmade stem to treat acute periprosthetic tibial fracture infection: a case report

• Published in: The open orthopaedics journal Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 24 - 26
• Main Authors: Font-Vizcarra, Lluís, Izquierdo, Oscar, García-Nuño, Laura, González, Araceli, Diaz-Brito, Vicenç, Castellanos, Juan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United Arab Emirates Bentham Open 2014
• Subjects: Acute prosthetic infection; cement spacer; periprosthetic fracture
• ISSN: 1874-3250; 1874-3250
• DOI: 10.2174/1874325001408010024

We report an 85-year-old woman with dementia and dependent for normal life activities who was admitted due to a left periprosthetic tibial fracture. The tibial component was replaced by one with a long stem and she was discharged. Four weeks after the intervention the patient was re-admitted due to an acute prosthetic joint infection. All the components were removed and a bone-cement spacer with a handmade stem with a metal core was implanted. Radiological signs of fracture consolidation were observed after 3 months of follow-up. Due to the previous health status of the patient, it was decided to keep the spacer as a definitive treatment. After 24 months, the patient was able to sit without pain and to stand up with help using a knee brace. There were no radiological or clinical signs of infection.