Abstract
Expectations of patients requiring knee arthroplasty surgery have become higher than in the past, with more strain being put on modern prostheses by fitter and younger patients. The objective of this study was to analyse the survivorship of primary knee arthroplasties at a minimum of ten years, with end points of revision and death. Patients who had a total (TKA) or unicompartmental (UKA) knee arthroplasty performed at a university teaching hospital were identified from the local arthroplasty database. Electronic and operative records were analysed to determine parameters including operative indication, subsequent revision surgery, and patient mortality. Results were collated and analysed using PASW software.
A total of 1023 patients were recruited, with 566 (55%) female and 457 (45%) male. Minimum follow up was 10.1 years, with an average of 12.1 years (S.D 0.87). 64.9% of patients were alive at follow up, with an average age of 79.7 years (S.D 8.7). 92.8% were operated on for osteoarthritis (OA), 6.6% for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 0.6% for other indications. Kaplan–Meier analysis estimated survival of 94% (S.D 0.008) at eleven years, with no statistical difference found in survivorship of knees operated on for OA or RA. Similarly no statistical difference was found between survivorship of UKA or TKA implants. Of those that died by follow up, 95.2% did so with their original implant.
We conclude that both TKA and UKA offer a lasting solution for patients, with excellent outcomes achieved in both rheumatoid and osteoarthritic patients.
