Abstract
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is done primarily for pain relief, and function improves when there is less pain. Greater understanding of the biomechanical functioning of the knee has led to an improvement in prosthetic implants. Surgical technique, which plays an important role in the overall outcome of TKA, has also improved over the years. Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SBTKA) is one of the latest techniques employed by arthroplasty surgeons. SBTKA has advantages and disadvantages, and there are clearly diverse reactions to it from surgeons treating patients with bilateral osteoarthritis.
We reviewed 87 patients who underwent SBTKA and compared complications, costs and functional results with those of patients who underwent staged TKA. The same surgeon performed all the operations. There was strict adherence to a consistent preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative protocol.
Our results showed that the complications of SBTKA are not significantly different from of staged TKA. SBTKA is definitely more cost-effective, and rehabilitation and function were the same as in patients who had a staged procedure.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor M. B. E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to him at The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical School, University of Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 South Africa
