Radiographic and Functional Outcomes following Knee Arthrodesis Using the Wichita Fusion Nail

Paula McQuail, Ben McCartney, Joseph Baker, James Green, Peter Keogh, Patrick Kenny

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to report both the radiographic and functional outcomes of patients undergoing knee arthrodesis with the Wichita Fusion Nail (WFN) within the Republic of Ireland and compare the results to existing literature. Patient charts and radiographs were reviewed on all patients who had a WFN implanted in Ireland to date. Patients were invited to complete a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score as a functional assessment. Twenty-three patients were identified. Patients had an average of 8 (range: 0-26) knee surgeries prior to arthrodesis. The most common indication was failed arthroplasty due to recalcitrant infection (69.5%). Successful fusion occurred in 60.8% of patients. The mean time to fusion was 9.21 months. The mean WOMAC score was 58.55 with a range of 31 to 96. We found a rate of arthrodesis lower than that reported in other published series. However, the rate of major complications was comparable to those published previously, reflecting the often-challenging patient cohort. Our study shows that the WFN should not be viewed as a near-universally successful option to salvage an unreconstructable knee.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)479-484
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Knee Surgery
Volume31
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • arthrodesis
  • fusion
  • knee arthroplasty
  • Wichita Fusion Nail

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