您的感受¶
假体周围关节感染是指膝关节置换术后的假体周围感染。它可能在手术后任何时间发生,有时甚至在数月甚至数年之后。膝关节通常会出现疼痛、肿胀和发热。疼痛往往不像正常恢复过程那样逐渐缓解,夜间或长时间站立后可能会加重。
日常活动可能变得困难。走到信箱处、从低矮的椅子上站起来或下楼梯时,疼痛可能比之前更严重。有些人会注意到伤口区域有压痛,或有液体从伤口渗出。皮肤上出现一个渗出液体的细小通道,称为窦道,是感染的强烈迹象,绝不应被忽视。
症状可能比较模糊。有时主要问题并非明显的疼痛,而是膝关节始终感觉不对劲,伴有逐渐加重的僵硬或不适。感染还可能导致假体松动,从而引起负重时的疼痛。由于这些体征与其他膝关节问题有重叠,感染并不总是容易识别。
没有单一的检测能给出确切答案。您的外科医生将综合多项信息:血液检查、用针从膝关节抽取的液体、影像学扫描以及体格检查的发现。其中一些检测可能会受到近期抗生素使用的影响,因此如果您曾服用过抗生素,务必告知您的外科医生。如果怀疑晚期感染,通常会在确诊或排除诊断之前暂缓使用抗生素,因为提前使用抗生素可能会掩盖细菌并破坏样本。
如果您曾接受过膝关节置换术,且膝关节出现疼痛、肿胀或液体渗出,请联系您的外科团队。早期评估能为您提供获得顺利结果的最佳机会。
实际发生了什么¶
膝关节置换术是将人工表面覆盖在大腿骨(股骨)和小腿骨(胫骨)的末端上。通常,您的身体会接受这种植入物,新的关节能够顺畅活动。在假体周围关节感染中,细菌已在人工部件上或周围定植,并形成一层称为生物膜的结构。可以将其想象为细菌围绕自身构建的一层黏滑屏障。一旦该屏障形成,您的免疫系统和抗生素便难以触及细菌,这就是感染可能持续数月阴燃的原因,也是治疗通常需结合手术与抗生素的原因。
感染会刺激膝关节周围的组织,因此会出现疼痛、肿胀和发热。它还可能削弱人工部件与骨骼之间的结合,导致假体不再稳固地固定。这种松动是您在负重时感到膝关节疼痛的原因,也解释了部分患者观察到的关节积液或伤口渗液现象。
这种情况大约发生在1%至2%的膝关节置换术中。某些情况会增加风险。如果您过去曾患化脓性关节炎(即关节内部感染),与髋关节置换相比,您在膝关节置换后发生此问题的可能性更高。术后最初几周的伤口问题也会增加感染深入至新关节周围深层组织的风险。
存在两种主要模式。早期感染在手术后不久出现,此时细菌仍自由漂浮,尚未构建其屏障。晚期或慢性感染在数月或数年后发展,此时细菌受到充分保护并牢固附着。这一区别至关重要,因为早期感染有时可通过冲洗关节并保留原有假体进行治疗。晚期感染通常需要分阶段取出假体并植入新的假体。
我们能做什么¶
膝关节置换术后的感染不是您可以自行处理的问题,理疗或止痛药无法清除感染。真正有帮助的是尽早采取行动。如果膝关节置换术后您的膝关节出现疼痛、肿胀、发热或开始渗出液体,请立即联系您的手术团队,而不是等待观察其是否自行缓解。
治疗方案取决于感染在手术后出现的时间。如果感染发生在最初几周内,我们有时可以通过冲洗关节并清洁人工部件,同时保留您原有的假体。这通过手术完成,术后给予抗生素。越早进行效果越好。手术后 1 个月内发生的感染通过此方式清除的可能性最高,随着时间推移,这种可能性会降低。对于手术后 12 周内发生的感染,这种方法是一个公认的选择。
较晚发生的感染通常需要更大的手术。移除受感染的假体,在膝关节内放置抗生素间隔器,并给予一段时间的抗生素治疗。间隔器是一种临时装置,用于保持空间开放并在局部输送抗生素药物。一旦感染得到控制,将在第二次手术中安装新的假体。这种两阶段方法是治疗已确立感染的常规方式,约三分之二的病例可实现无感染膝关节。某些患有特定健康问题的人可能面临更艰难的治疗过程,我们在制定治疗方案时会与您共同权衡这些因素。
治疗选择是共同决策。我们会评估您的假体植入时间、涉及的细菌类型、您的整体健康状况以及膝关节的受损程度。然后,我们会解释哪种方案适合您以及其具体内容,并由您与我们共同决定如何推进。
预期情况¶
预后在很大程度上取决于感染被发现和治疗的早晚。如果在手术后不久发现感染,进行关节冲洗并保留原有的假体通常效果良好。若早期采用此方式治疗,76% 的病例在 1 年后膝关节保持无感染状态。处理得越早,成功的可能性越大;随着时间推移,成功率会逐渐降低。
晚期感染通常需要采用前文所述的二期手术方法。通过这种治疗,约三分之二的病例可实现膝关节无感染。某些细菌比其他细菌更难清除,涉及多种细菌的感染往往病程更为艰难。患有其他健康状况的患者也可能面临更艰难的治疗过程。如果感染在治疗后复发,通常需要进行进一步的手术。
放任感染不管是不行的。细菌会以您的身体和抗生素无法触及的方式自我保护,因此疼痛、肿胀和假体松动往往会持续存在或缓慢恶化。感染持续时间越长,治疗难度越大。
治疗后的恢复需要时间。许多人在感染清除后发现膝关节活动良好,且成功接受治疗的人通常报告其膝关节感觉比感染发生前更好。但恢复过程并不总是顺利的。有些人需要多次手术,少数人如果感染无法通过其他方式清除,则需要进行更大的挽救性手术。
您的手术团队将在治疗后的前 2 年内密切关注您的情况,因为这是感染最可能复发的时期。如果您的膝关节在任何时候再次出现疼痛、肿胀或发热,请立即联系您的团队,而不是等待观察其是否自行缓解。
何时就医¶
膝关节置换术后的周围感染需要迅速检查。如果您的膝关节出现疼痛、肿胀或发热,或伤口开始有液体渗出,请立即联系您的手术团队。如果您出现发热、整体感觉不适,或红肿范围超出膝关节,请前往急诊科。如果您的膝关节自手术后一直感觉不对劲,伴有无法缓解的疼痛、持续加重的僵硬,或夜间加重的不适,请要求专科医生评估。皮肤上渗出液体的细小通道需要立即复诊。如果您的膝关节此前曾接受过感染治疗,且相同症状再次出现,请再次联系您的团队,而不是等待观察其是否自行缓解。
Evidence & references
This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.
Anatomy & Pathophysiology¶
Bony Anatomy¶
- The bones of the knee are the distal femur, the proximal tibia, and the patella [1].
- The medial femoral condyle is larger and projects farther posteriorly and distally than the lateral condyle [4].
- The lateral femoral condyle projects farther anteriorly and is wider in the medial-lateral direction than the medial femoral condyle [4].
- The tibial articular surface slopes 7° to 10° in the sagittal plane [4].
- The medial tibial plateau is larger than the lateral plateau and is concave in its frontal and sagittal planes [4].
- The lateral tibial plateau is smaller and more circular than the medial plateau, concave in the frontal plane and convex in the sagittal plane [4].
- The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body, averaging 2.5 cm in thickness [4].
- The patellar articular surface contains a vertical, central ridge that separates the broader lateral facet from the medial facet, and a smaller, more medial facet called the odd facet [4].
- The posterior slope of the tibia is a mean of 10.7° in the medial plateau and 7.2° in the lateral plateau [9].
- The fibular head is located a mean of 1.5 cm distal to the joint line, with a range of 6 to 32 mm [9].
Ligaments¶
- The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) prevents anterior translation and rotation of the tibia on the femur [1].
- The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) prevents posterior subluxation of the tibia on the femur [1].
- The medial collateral ligament stabilizes the knee to valgus stresses [1].
- The lateral collateral ligament is the main stabilizer against varus stress [1].
- The ACL is composed of 90% type I collagen and 10% type III collagen [4].
- The mean length of the ACL is 33 mm and the mean midsubstance width is 11 mm [4].
- The femoral attachment of the ACL is a semicircular area on the posteromedial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle [4].
- The tibial attachment of the ACL is a broad, irregular, oval-shaped area slightly medial and anterior to the midline between the tibial spinous processes [4].
- The PCL is the largest of the intra-articular ligaments, with an average length of 38 mm and a mean diameter at the midpoint of 13 mm [17].
- The PCL has two distinct bundles: an anterolateral (AL) bundle comprising 85% of the cross-sectional area and a posteromedial (PM) bundle [17].
- The PCL inserts onto a midline depression on the tibia, 10 to 15 mm below the level of the tibial plateaus [17].
- The meniscofemoral ligaments connect the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the intercondylar notch and are thought to be secondary restraints to posterior translation [17].
- The anteromedial bundle of the ACL is tight in knee flexion and the posterolateral bundle is tight in knee extension [9].
- The posterolateral bundle of the ACL is responsible for preventing the pivot-shift phenomenon [9].
- The anterolateral bundle of the PCL is stronger and stiffer than the posteromedial bundle and is tight in knee flexion [9].
Menisci¶
- The menisci are C-shaped fibrocartilaginous disks that provide shock absorption, increase joint congruency, enhance stability, and aid in synovial fluid distribution [1].
- The medial meniscus is firmly attached to the joint capsule along its entire peripheral edge [1].
- The lateral meniscus is attached to the anterior and posterior capsule but has a region posterolaterally where it is not firmly attached [1].
- The medial meniscus has less mobility than the lateral meniscus and is more susceptible to tearing when trapped between the femoral condyle and tibial plateau [1].
- The lateral meniscus is larger than the medial meniscus and carries a greater share of the lateral compartment pressure [1].
- The menisci consist of type I collagen fibers arranged obliquely, radially, and vertically [9].
- Vascular supply to the menisci is derived from the geniculate arteries, which penetrate into 20% to 30% of the peripheral medial meniscus and 10% to 25% of the peripheral lateral meniscus [9].
Vascular and Nerve Anatomy¶
- The blood supply to the knee is formed from an anastomosis around the knee derived from the descending geniculate artery, superior and inferior geniculate arteries, middle geniculate artery, and anterior tibial recurrent arteries [4].
- The middle geniculate artery supplies both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments [4].
- The knee is innervated by branches of the femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4), obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4), and sciatic nerve (L4, L5, S1, S2) [4].
- The posterior articular branch of the tibial nerve is the largest nerve providing innervation of the intra-articular knee [4].
- The popliteus artery travels through the adductor hiatus, where it is relatively immobile, and distally through the fibrous arch deep to the soleus muscle [14].
- The common peroneal nerve travels along the posterior edge of the biceps femoris and continues distally around the fibular neck [14].
Kinematics¶
- The knee is a hinge joint that incorporates both gliding and rolling, which are essential to its kinematics [5].
- The "screw-home" mechanism involves the tibia externally rotating 5 degrees in the final 15 degrees of extension [5].
- The greatest range of motion occurs in the sagittal plane, approximately 160° [21].
- Knee rotation ranges from 45° in external rotation to 30° in internal rotation [21].
- In the frontal plane, the range of motion in both abduction and adduction reaches a maximum of 10° [21].
- During walking, knee range of motion reaches approximately 70° in the sagittal plane, 15° in the frontal plane, and 10° in the transverse plane [21].
- The normal instant center of the knee joint follows a semicircular path related to the tibiofemoral surface and ligaments crossing the joint [21].
- Rupture of the cruciate ligaments or disruption of the tibiofemoral surface causes a major change in the path of the instant center, leading to articular dysfunction [21].
- In full extension, the knee slightly hyperextends with slight tibial external rotation while collateral and cruciate ligaments are tightened to lock the knee [22].
- The popliteus muscle initiates flexion by pulling the lateral femoral condyle backward while the medial femoral condyle slides forward, resulting in tibial internal rotation [22].
Synovial Anatomy¶
- Embryologically, the knee joint forms from three synovial compartments that normally fuse into a single synovial cavity [16].
- The important synovial plicae of the knee represent unresolved remnants of these partitions and are classified as suprapatellar, infrapatellar, medial patellar, and lateral patellar plicae [16].
- The medial patellar plica is the most common plica to be of clinical significance, with an incidence reported to range from 10% to more than 50% in normal knees [16].
- A pathologic medial patellar plica makes firm contact with the underlying femoral condyle at 30 to 40 degrees of flexion [16].
- In some patients, a median septum separates the posterior aspect of the knee into two compartments, with the posterior cruciate ligament projecting anteriorly in the septum [19].
Investigations¶
Plain Radiography¶
- Plain radiographs are appropriate initial imaging studies for most knee conditions, allowing assessment of traumatic injury, arthritis, patellofemoral alignment, osteochondral injury, bone neoplasm, and surgical implants [3].
- Standard knee imaging includes anterior-posterior (AP), lateral, and axial views (skyline, sunrise, sunset) [27].
- Supine AP knee radiographs do not adequately estimate joint space width needed to estimate the degree of osteoarthritis progression [27].
- A 45° standing flexion view was introduced to better evaluate joint space because plain frontal radiographs may not accurately display actual joint space due to cartilage wear patterns, meniscal integrity, or tibial slope variances [27].
- The fixed flexion view (FFV) is a technique with improved reproducibility for evaluating joint space, involving a 10° caudal irradiation angle and specific limb positioning [27].
- The Lyon Schuss view (LSV) uses fluoroscopic adjustment of the irradiation angle relative to the medial tibial plateau, which is more accurate for measuring actual joint space width but involves higher radiation exposure and more complex positioning [27].
- Goniometer readings of long limb alignment or measured on a fixed flexion view correlate well with angles measured on long limb radiographs, providing an alternative if long limb radiographs are not available [27].
- Radiographs are the standard for initial evaluation of knee pain, including weight-bearing AP and lateral views, a 45-degree flexion PA view, sunrise view, extension and flexion lateral views, and standing full-length AP radiograph [23].
- The Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification grades osteoarthritis severity from 0 to 4 based on AP knee radiographs, using features such as osteophytes, joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and bone shape alterations [23].
- Knee arthroplasty is recommended when KL Grade 4 findings are present [23].
- Radiographic studies help confirm the clinical diagnosis of a joint disorder determined using history and physical examination [3].
Computed Tomography (CT)¶
- CT provides enhanced bone detail through three-dimensional imaging with ionizing radiation [3].
- CT imaging in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes helps visualize fracture lines, displacement, osteolytic lesions around joint arthroplasty, and cortical disruption in cases of infection or neoplasia [3].
- Three-dimensional CT reconstructions assist in preoperative planning for complex intra-articular fractures, multiplanar osteotomy for limb malalignment, and reconstitution of bone loss in joint arthroplasty [3].
- Axial plane CT imaging of the knee helps assess the rotational alignment of components in total knee arthroplasty in cases of patellar maltracking [3].
- Three-dimensional CT with remodeling is used for preoperative planning for reconstruction associated with dysplasia, post-trauma planning, and complex total knee arthroplasty planning [23].
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)¶
- MRI is the most useful study for differentiating osteonecrosis from other conditions such as osteochondritis dissecans, transient osteoporosis, bone bruises, or occult fractures [29].
- A serpentine lesion within a well-demarcated border is a specific finding on MRI for osteonecrosis [29].
- Bone edema on MRI is a common feature of osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis, cartilage injury, and transient regional osteoporosis [29].
- MRI may identify the degree of articular cartilage injury, including chondrosis and full-thickness cartilage loss, as well as associated bone marrow edema and location [3].
- MRI can identify patterns of meniscal injury by location, pattern (horizontal, longitudinal, radial, complex), and displacement [3].
- MRI may suggest cruciate ligament injury through the presence of edema, intra-articular fluid, disruption of ligament fibers, and atypical ligament contour [3].
- MRI is used to assess the continuity of the quadriceps or patellar tendon [3].
- MRI may be used to assess the margin of resection for a neoplasm, identify vascular malformation, or define the location of nerves or vessels relative to popliteal cysts [3].
- MRI is grossly overused in the arthritic patient population and is not indicated if the joint space is significantly narrowed on radiograph [23].
- MRI is indicated when osteonecrosis is suspected in the arthritic patient population [23].
- A systematic review quantified the diagnostic accuracy of MRI for detection of meniscal injury and ACL tear [20].
- Compositional MRI techniques, including T1ρ, T2*, dGEMRIC, and gagCEST, are used for early recognition of cartilage degeneration [20].
Nuclear Medicine¶
- Nuclear medicine involves labeled radionuclide injection followed by delayed imaging of gamma radiation, where areas of increased concentration appear bright or "hot" [3].
- Nuclear medicine provides a nonspecific study that indicates the presence of an abnormality but does not define its etiology [3].
- Increased radionuclide activity in bone may be a normal postoperative finding for up to 6 to 12 months after fracture repair or arthroplasty [3].
- Technetium-99 (Tc-99) is a radionuclide that may help identify infection, neoplasia, occult fracture, bone healing, active phases of heterotopic ossification, implant loosening, or failure of osseointegration [3].
- Gallium-67 (Ga-67) is a radionuclide that may help differentiate between aseptic and septic prosthetic loosening, requiring 24 to 72 hours for a complete study [3].
General Assessment¶
- Assessment of the knee joint must combine physical examination with radiographic (including full-length alignment views) and MRI findings [30].
- Radiographic evaluations are essential when diagnosing osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the knee, though important aspects may be better seen with MRI [26].
- Physical examination along with radiographic or advanced imaging findings must be used concomitantly to determine the source of symptoms and appropriate surgical intervention [7].
References¶
[1] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 3Sports Medicine > Image KNEE INJURIES.
[3] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > I. Radiographic Evaluation.
[4] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Knee > I. Anatomy.
[5] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 16 PATELLAR TRACKING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY > SECTION 1 KNEE > ANATOMY (FIG. 4.1).
[7] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Arthroscopy and Preservation, Knee Reconstruction > Introduction.
[9] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Radiographic Evaluation and Surgical Anatomy of the Knee > II. Surgical Anatomy of the Knee.
[14] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Knee Dislocations and Patellar Fractures* > I. Knee Dislocations.
[16] Campbell S Operative Orthopaedics 4 Volume Set. TRANSTIBIAL PULL-OUT REPAIR OF RADIAL OR MENISCAL ROOT TEAR > SYNOVIAL PLICAE OF THE KNEE.
[17] Rockwood And Green S Fractures In Adults. 59: Patellar Fractures and Dislocations and Extensor Mechanism Injuries > Posterior Knee Anatomy.
[19] Campbell S Operative Orthopaedics 4 Volume Set. SINGLE-INCISION POSTEROLATERAL APPROACH TO THE LATERAL AND POSTERIOR MALLEOLI > POSTEROLATERAL AND POSTEROMEDIAL APPROACHES TO THE KNEE.
[20] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Arthroscopy and Preservation, Knee Reconstruction > Annotated References.
[21] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Biomechanics and Wear in Joint Arthroplasty > III. The Knee Joint.
[22] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Anatomy > Knee Kinematics.
[23] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 16 PATELLAR TRACKING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY > SECTION 11 KNEE ARTHRITIS ASSESSMENT.
[26] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update. Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee and Elbow* > Summary.
[27] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Anatomy > Imaging (Radiograph, MRI, CT Scan, Dynamic Versus Static) > Radiograph.
[29] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. General Evaluation of the Knee Patient > III. Osteonecrosis.
[30] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Knee Arthroscopy and Preservation, Knee Reconstruction > Summary.
