Sarah's Knee

Abstract

Sarah Bernhardt had a recurrent and later persistent inflammatory arthritis of her right knee for more than 25 years. She probably had pulmonary tuberculosis, starting a dozen years before the arthritis, and her chronic synovitis may have been tuberculous. Several months in a cast led to deterioration and later amputation of the leg, an outcome that might have been prevented by surgical arthrodesis. Despite the loss of her limb and progressive renal failure, she continued an active theatrical career until her death at age 78.