Revision total knee arthroplasty requires the removal of one or all of the prior knee components. Thoughtful and careful removal of well-fixed total knee components can preserve host bone stock and facilitate subsequent reconstructive efforts. The tools and techniques for knee component removal include simple osteotomes, saws, extraction devices, ultrasonic devices, and frequently a combination of some or all of the above. It is the unique nature of each revision arthroplasty, which presents the surgeon with such challenge. Each of the techniques discussed in this review reflects the anecdotal experience acquired in over 800 revision total knee arthroplasties performed at our center. We review our empiric bias regarding the individual applicability of these techniques.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic studies, Level V (expert opinion). See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of Levels of Evidence.