We analyzed the causes of 113 revision total knee arthroplasties in 84 patients between December 1996 and June 2008. Patient history, medical record and radiographs were reviewed to detect the main cause of failure of primary total knee arthroplasty. The causes of revision total knee arthroplasty were as follows: 44 infections (38.9 %), 34 loosenings (30.1%), 22 polyethylene wears or breakages (19.5%), 5 stiffness (4.4%), 4 polyethylene dislocations (3.5%), 2 patellar dislocations (1.8%), 1 patellar component failure and 1 instability (0.9%, each). The mean interval from the index operation to the revision surgery was 59 months (1 month-20 years).

Infection was the most common causes of revision TKA and followed by loosening, wear or breakage of polyethylene, stiff knee, dislocation of polyethylene and so on.