Multiple Sclerosis and Repeat Dislocations of Total Knee Replacements: A Case Report

Abstract

We present a case report of a 63-year-old patient with known multiple sclerosis (MS) undergoing a knee replacement with a Birmingham prosthesis. Eight days following successful joint replacement rehabilitation remained slow. The patient was found to have an innocuous posterior dislocation of the prosthesis with no apparent explanation. He underwent open reduction of the joint and a cricket-pad splint was applied. Forty-eight hours later the patient had a repeat posterior dislocation, again with no explanation. Finally a cast was applied and later the patient discharged to a rehabilitation facility. Four-months after discharge the patient remained well with the prosthesis in situ, although unable to weight bear. We advise considerable thought taken before recommending patients with MS for joint replacement.




J Med Cases. 2011;2(6):284-286
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc391w