[Arthrodesis of the knee joint (author's transl)].

Arthrodesis of the knee joint was performed in 75 patients. Solid fusion was achieved in 74 out of them. Average time for union was basically dependent upon type of pathological process and not upon fusion technique employed. In the last years compression arthrodesis with internal fixation by plates was used in all cases of degenerative, posttraumatic and rheumatoid arthrosis; in cases of tuberculosis and other infections of the knee joint external osteosynthesis by fixateur externe was the preferred procedure.