The Nocardia farcinica infection developing after total knee arthroplasty surgery

Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2013;47(3):212-7. doi: 10.3944/aott.2013.2536.

Abstract

Infection is an important complication in total knee prosthesis implementations and possesses a serious morbidity. We present a case of Nocardia farcinica infection which appeared after application of cemented total knee prosthesis. A 78-year-old male patient had referred to the outpatient clinic with the complaints of restricted movement, pain and swelling of the knee which started after a month following total knee arthroplasty surgery due to left gonarthrosis. As no improvement could be achieved after arthroscopic debridement, synovectomy and antibiotherapy, the components of the total knee prosthesis were removed from him. Although improvement could not be achieved in the knee of the patient at the end of 20-month therapy, the case has still being followed-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / adverse effects*
  • Debridement
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint / surgery*
  • Male
  • Nocardia Infections / diagnosis*
  • Nocardia Infections / microbiology
  • Nocardia Infections / pathology
  • Nocardia Infections / therapy
  • Nocardia* / isolation & purification
  • Prosthesis Failure

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents