Transition of Historical Tube Flaps to Free Flap for 2-Stage Total Knee Arthroplasty in a Patient With a History of Gustilo Grade IIIB Tibia Fracture

We report the case of a 56-year-old patient who had posttraumatic bilateral knee arthritis and underwent sequential bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The left knee joint required 2-stage reconstruction: a free flap for enhanced soft-tissue coverage and then left knee TKA. Uniquely, at age 16 years this patient sustained a left tibia grade IIIB high-energy crush injury in a car crash and underwent reconstruction with multiple pedicle tube flaps and transfer of soft tissues. Most of that reconstruction was done between the ages of 16 and 19. At age 56 years, staged TKA was performed.

To our knowledge, this is the first report of a knee reconstructed with pedicle tube flaps for a grade IIIB tibial fracture, followed years later by free-flap coverage before TKA. This report offers insights and treatment recommendations through long-term follow-up of a unique case and a historical perspective on how reconstructive options have evolved.