[Functional treatment of surgically treated empyema of the knee joint].

Abstract

Knee-joint empyema requires prompt surgical management. After debridement the joint needs to be irrigated for several days. Functional follow-up treatment with electromotive splints according to the CPM concept should begin soon after surgery. Follow-up examination of patients treated in this way for knee-joint empyema showed a protracted course with worse results for empyemas subsequent to arthrotomy, while joint infections after less severe injuries (skin lesions, puncture) healed successfully.