Soft tissue defects after knee arthroplasty are a severe problem, which can even result in a loss of the prosthesis or the limb. Well-planned strategies are necessary for sufficient soft tissue reconstruction, resulting in optimal functional and aesthetic results. This report provides information on the classification of the tissue defects and the appropriate options for surgical reconstruction. Besides the basic therapy principles of immobilisation, débridement, planned lavages and antibiotic therapy, defect-dependent surgical techniques of reconstructive surgery are implemented. These include skin transplantation, local fasciocutaneous flaps, local pedicled muscle flaps and free flaps. For best results, interdisciplinary treatment by orthopaedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, microbiologists and physiotherapists is mandatory.