Abstract
The merit of staging bilateral total knee arthroplasties (separate procedures) versus replacing both joints at the same anaesthetic (sequential) is a topic debated in literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate & compare the clinical outcome in patients who had undergone either bilateral staged or sequential total knee arthroplasties (TKAs).
METHODS: Computerized database and medical records of patients who had had bilateral TKAs in the Tayside region between 1984 and 2003 were retrospectively evaluated. Outcome was assessed using Knee Society Score, Pain Score, Function Score and Range of Movement.
RESULTS: 438 sequential and 526 staged procedures were evaluated. The sequential group had better function score at 1 and 3 years (P< 0.001). There was no other statistically significant difference in the outcome measures.
The mean ages of the sequential and staged study groups were 70.67 and 69.19 years, respectively (P=0.011).
CONCLUSION: Sequential TKA appears to confer a functional advantage over staged procedures in the short and medium term.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ms Larissa Welti, Scientific Secretary, EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH-8005 Zürich, Switzerland
