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Multilobulated popliteal cyst after a failed total knee arthroplasty

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy volume 15, pages 212–216 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Popliteal cyst is a rare finding after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but when present, it might indicate a malfunction of the TKA related to generation of wear-particles, or loosening. We present a case of a multilobulated popliteal cyst developing in a patient 8 years after primary TKA. The cyst was associated with a mechanical prosthetic loosening. The primary complaint of the patient was pain in the posterior region of the knee. A two-stage procedure consisting of cyst excision at first, followed after 5 months by a revision TKA was performed. Intraoperatively, a darkish, multilobulated cyst with a well-defined thick wall filled with fluid containing polyethylene debris, communicating with the knee joint was found. After 3 years of follow-up, the patient was satisfied and walked without the support of a cane. The patient presented a satisfactory knee range of motion. Clinical, radiological and ultrasound investigations ruled out popliteal cyst recurrence. A dissecting popliteal cyst associated with a failed TKA should be excised because it contains polyethylene debris that constitutes an induced factor for prosthetic loosening. A two-stage procedure with quite a long time in-between, as presented in this paper, can be a useful alternative to manage such a problem, in particular in very old patients associated with other medical problems.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Methodology and Surgical Technique, Orthopedics Section II, University of Bari, Bari, Italy

    Biagio Moretti, Vittorio Patella, Vito Pesce & Antonio Spinarelli

  2. Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital, OTR-BH 14, CHUV 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Elyazid Mouhsine & Raffaele Garofalo

Authors
  1. Biagio Moretti
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  2. Vittorio Patella
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  3. Elyazid Mouhsine
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  4. Vito Pesce
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  5. Antonio Spinarelli
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  6. Raffaele Garofalo
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Correspondence to Elyazid Mouhsine.

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Moretti, B., Patella, V., Mouhsine, E. et al. Multilobulated popliteal cyst after a failed total knee arthroplasty. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 15, 212–216 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-006-0155-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-006-0155-1

Keywords

  • Total knee arthroplasty
  • Synovial cyst
  • Polyethylene wear
  • Revision
  • Loosening