Use of Cutis as an Interposing Membrane in Arthroplasty of the Knee

¹ Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery St. Luke's Hospital, Cleveland

Arthroplasty of the knee joint was performed in four patients with the use of autogenous cutis graft as interposing membrane. Preoperatively two of the knees had bony ankyiosis, while two had fibrous ankyiosis. Two of the four patients had other major disabilities involving the joints of time lower extremities.

The end results of all four arthroplasties were rated as successful considering the condition of these knees prior to surgery. There was no instance of re-ankylosis, epidermoid cyst formation, or wound infection. Range of active motion restored postoPeratively varied from 60 degrees to 80 degrees of flexion; extension of 180 degrees was achieved in all cases.

Instability or hypermobihty, especially laterally, was observed in one knee. This required revision which restored stabilityy without decreasing the range of motion in flexion and extension.

The fate of cutis graft in the weight-bearing areas of the joint is unknown at this time. It is hoped that this preliminary report will stimulate others to use and to study cutis grafts in arthroplasty of weight-bearing joints.

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