Bilateral Total Knee Replacement in a Patient With Poliomyelitis: A Case Report From Eastern Morocco

Cureus. 2023 Jan 3;15(1):e33317. doi: 10.7759/cureus.33317. eCollection 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Total knee replacement in limbs affected by poliomyelitis can be complicated by anatomical features, narrowing of the intramedullary canal, quadriceps muscle weakness, flexion contractures, and ligament laxity. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) leads to good results in returning to daily activities and overall functional improvement of these polio patients by restoring near-normal joint mobility, pain relief despite impaired quadriceps strength, and bone and soft tissue defects. Our case report is about a patient with sequelae of bilateral poliomyelitis of the limb benefiting from a hinge-type total knee prosthesis. The rotating hinge total knee prosthesis has certainly been a revolution in the surgical treatment of patients with poliomyelitis, bringing considerable functional improvement. Nevertheless, total knee replacement on poliomyelitis limbs is still a therapeutic challenge, even for the most experienced hands.

Keywords: functional outcomes; genu recurvatum; instability; poliomyelitis; total knee arthroplasty.

Publication types

  • Case Reports