Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty Following a Sham Incision Procedure in Patients with Previous Knee Incisions

Background: Tenuous blood supply carries a risk of wound-healing problems and subsequent infection following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This risk may be increased by the presence of previous incisions. Performing a sham incision procedure allows for detection of wound-healing problems prior to performing TKA. The purpose of this retrospective case series is to describe the indications for and technique of a sham incision procedure in patients with previous knee incisions who underwent TKA following this procedure and to report the clinical outcomes observed in these patients following further surgery. Methods: Patients who had prior knee incisions, had undergone a sham incision prior to TKA, and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years were identified, and their cases were retrospectively reviewed. The identified cases typically adhered to the surgeon’s standard protocol, which consisted of making a midline incision adventitious to TKA, dissecting down to deep fascia, and closing the wound with suture. Incisions were then observed for at least 4 weeks to determine the viability of the skin flaps before TKA was performed via the same incision. Results: A total of 47 knees in 47 patients were included in the study cohort. TKA was performed at an average of 21.1 weeks (range, 4 to 163 weeks) following the sham incision. There were no cases of skin necrosis or periprosthetic joint infection at an average follow-up of 4.6 years (range, 2 to 12 years) after sham incision. A total of 11 patients (23.4%) required manipulation under anesthesia for stiffness. Conclusions: In our series, no patients developed skin necrosis or periprosthetic joint infection following TKA subsequent to a sham incision procedure, suggesting that healed sham incisions are safe to use for TKA and may be considered prior to TKA in cases in which local previous incisions increase the risk of wound-healing problems. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.