At the scientific seminar "Artificial knee joint infection and treatment methods" organized by Viet Duc Hospital on July 30, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Manh Khanh, Deputy Director of the Hospital said that artificial knee replacement brings "new life" to many patients who have suffered from pain due to osteoarthritis, joint deformities... to the point of disability, unable to walk, even having to use a wheelchair.
Patients who have had artificial knee replacements have a better quality of life. From being in pain and unable to walk, they can now move normally, play sports , ride bicycles... Normally, artificial joints last the entire life of the patient without having to be replaced.
Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Manh Khanh, Deputy Director of Viet Duc Hospital (Photo: TM).
However, in reality, in artificial joint replacement surgery, including knee replacement, there is an infection rate, like other surgeries, about 1-3%.
"When there is an infection in the artificial knee joint, it is a disaster for the patient. They will have to remove the joint, replace it with temporary antibiotic-mixed cement, the joint will no longer function, and long-term antibiotic treatment will be required to stabilize it and replace it with a new joint," Associate Professor Khanh informed.
Professor Thorsten Gehrke shares his experience in treating artificial knee joint infections (Photo: TM).
At the workshop, Prof. Dr. Thorsten Gehrke - Medical Director of ENDO Clinic Hamburg (Germany) - one of the world's leading experts in the field of joint replacement and treatment of artificial joint infections shared many experiences in handling artificial knee joint infections.
In addition, Associate Professor Khanh and this expert also demonstrated a new artificial knee replacement surgery for a patient with a knee infection. The surgery was broadcast live to orthopedic trauma doctors from domestic and international medical units attending the conference.
The patient is 80 years old, had an artificial knee replacement nearly 1 year ago at a lower level medical facility. The patient experienced pain, went to Viet Duc Hospital for examination and was diagnosed with a knee infection.
Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Manh Khanh performs a new artificial knee replacement surgery for a patient with an artificial knee infection (Photo: TM).
Doctors performed a first surgery, removing the old artificial joint, removing infected tissue, placing antibiotic-mixed cement, and using long-term antibiotics to control the infection.
During the surgery on the afternoon of July 30, doctors performed an artificial knee replacement for the patient. "This type of joint is different from the first replacement, with a "hinge" to replace the lost ligament. The patient also had an artificial pad placed to replace the large bone defect.
Patients with artificial knee joint infections not only have infections but also bone defects and damage to the collateral ligament system... so the new joint with a "hinge" helps with better movement, ensuring the stability of the artificial joint," Associate Professor Khanh informed.
According to Associate Professor Khanh, early diagnosis, proper intervention and application of modern treatment methods for artificial knee joint infections play a key role in controlling and restoring joint function.
At the conference, new knowledge and advances in the treatment of artificial joint infections were shared through specialized reports such as: Treatment of severe bone defects in knee replacement; Diagnosis and treatment of artificial joint infections.
Associate Professor Khanh said that the rate of patients having knee replacements is gradually increasing. Previously, 90% of patients had hip replacements, now the rate of knee replacements is 30-40%.
The peculiarities of the knee joint are more common in developing countries, where life expectancy increases, obesity increases, and people have access to more medical information.
When the infection is well controlled after the artificial knee replacement, the artificial joint will last the rest of the patient's life. The cost of an artificial knee joint is about 50 million, most of which is covered by health insurance.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/benh-nhan-tan-phe-di-lai-duoc-nho-thay-khop-goi-am-anh-nhiem-trung-20250730183202138.htm
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