All patients completed the Oxford Knee Questionnaire preoperatively as well as at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. Their stated kneeling ability and total scores were analysed with a perfect score for kneeling ability being 4, and 48 the maximum total score.
There was a more striking difference with respect to kneeling ability with the fixed bearing variants performing better, (Rotaglide 1.4; 0.9 and Uniglide 1.9; 1.4), However, the greatest difference was between the UKR and TKR groups (UKR 1.7; TKR 1.2). Pre-operatively less than 2% of TKR patients (7% of the UKR patients) could kneel. Post-operatively, the patients’ kneeling ability improved with 21% for the mobile bearing, 32% of fixed bearing UKR patients. The TKR patients kneeling ability was 13% of the mobile, 26% of fixed bearing patients were able to kneel with little or no difficulty. In all groups the stated kneeling ability was poor with less than 50% of any group being able to kneel with ease or only minor difficulty.
Only two trochlea components were loose at the time of revision and one patella had a large amount of macroscopic wear. All other components were found to be well fixed with minimal wear at the time of revision. There were no difficulties in removing either component. No cases required augments or stemmed femoral components due to bone loss. Patients undergoing revision surgery did report improvement in their post revision outcome scores compared with their pre-operative scores. The average Oxford Knee Score improved from 17 to 23, Bristol Knee Pain Scores improved from 11 to 20 and Bristol Knee Functional Scores improved from 15 to 16. These results are poorer than those recorded by the overall cohort of primary PFA.
Data was also prospectively collected on 215 UKR patients who received the same Unicompartmental implant (AMC, Uniglide, Corin, UK). One hundred and thirty six patients (Mean age: 62 yrs) had a mobile insert and 79 (mean age: 65 yrs) a fixed insert. All patients completed the Oxford Knee Questionnaire preoperatively as well as at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. Their stated kneeling ability and total scores were analysed with a perfect score for kneeling ability being 4 and 48 the maximum total score.
There was a more striking difference with respect to kneeling ability with the fixed- bearing variants performing better, (Rotaglide 1.4; 0.9 and Uniglide 1.9; 1.4), However, the greatest difference was between the UKR and TKR groups (UKR 1.7; TKR 1.2). Pre-operatively less than 2% of TKR patients (7% of the UKR patients) could kneel. Post-operatively, the patients’ kneeling ability improved with 21% for the mobile bearing, 32% of fixed bearing UKR patients. The TKR patients kneeling ability was 13% of the mobile, 26% of fixed bearing patients were able to kneel with little or no difficulty. In all groups the stated kneeling ability was poor with less than 50% of any group being able to kneel with ease or only minor difficulty.
The median pain score rose from 15/40 pre-operatively to 40 points at eight years. The median (MPS) rose from 10/30 points pre-operatively to 25 points at eight years. The median (OKS) rose from 18/48 pre-operatively to 38 at eight years. 87% of knees had mild or no pain at eight years. There were no cases of failure of the prosthesis itself. All 15 revisions resulted from progression of arthrititis in the tibio-femoral joint. The five-year survival rate for all causes with 86 cases at risk was 96%.
99 knees were followed for 15 years and 21 knees for 20 years. The average Bristol knee score of the surviving knees fell from 86 to 79 during the second decade. A previous study showed an 89% 10 year survivor-ship and this is now extended to 82% at 15 years and 76.5% at 20 years.
The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of revision total knee replacement (TKR) within 5 years of the index procedure at a large multi-surgeon unit using a single prosthesis and to determine the cause of failure of those implants. This was a retrospective review of all primary Kine-max Plus TKR performed at the Avon Orthopaedic Center between 1.1.1990 and 1.1.2000. Cases were identified that required revision arthroplasty in any form within 5 years of the index procedure. Case notes and Xrays were reviewed to determine causes of failure. There were 2826 primary Kinemax Plus TKR performed during the study period. Of these 20 were known to have required revision surgery within 5 years. 8 were revised for deep infection of the prosthesis and 12 for aseptic causes. The overall incidence of premature failure of the Kinemax Plus TKR at 5 years was 0.71%. The incidence of aseptic premature failure at 5 years was 0.42%. Detailed examination of the clinical records indicated that some form of technical error at the time of the index arthroplasty was responsible for the early failure of 6 prostheses. This equates to 0.21% of the procedures performed. Aseptic loosening of the remaining 6 cases could not be attributed to a specific cause.
We identified 148 patients who had undergone a revision total knee replacement using a single implant system between 1990 and 2000. Of these 18 patients had died, six had developed a peri-prosthetic fracture and ten had incomplete records or radiographs. This left 114 with prospectively-collected radiographs and Bristol knee scores available for study. The height of the joint line before and after revision total knee replacement was measured and classified as either restored to within 5 mm of the pre-operative height or elevated if it was positioned more than 5 mm above the pre-operative height. The joint line was elevated in 41 knees (36%) and restored in 73 (64%). Revision surgery significantly improved the mean Bristol knee score from 41.1 ( Our findings show that restoration of the joint line at revision total knee replacement gives a significantly better result than leaving it unrestored by more than 5 mm. We recommend the greater use of distal femoral augments to help to achieve this goal.
We report the mid-term results of a new patellofemoral arthroplasty for established isolated patellofemoral arthritis. We have reviewed the experience of 109 consecutive patellofemoral resurfacing arthroplasties in 85 patients who were followed up for at least five years. The five-year survival rate, with revision as the endpoint, was 95.8% (95% confidence interval 91.8% to 99.8%). There were no cases of loosening of the prosthesis. At five years the median Bristol pain score improved from 15 of 40 points (interquartile range 5 to 20) pre-operatively, to 35 (interquartile range 20 to 40), the median Melbourne score from 10 of 30 points (interquartile range 6 to 15) to 25 (interquartile range 20 to 29), and the median Oxford score from 18 of 48 points (interquartile range 13 to 24) to 39 (interquartile range 24 to 45). Successful results, judged on a Bristol pain score of at least 20 at five years, occurred in 80% (66) of knees. The main complication was radiological progression of arthritis, which occurred in 25 patients (28%) and emphasises the importance of the careful selection of patients. These results give increased confidence in the use of patellofemoral arthroplasty.
There have been several reports of good survivorship and excellent function at ten years with fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee replacement. However, little is known about survival beyond ten years. From the Bristol database of over 4000 knee replacements, we identified 203 St Georg Sled unicompartmental knee replacements (174 patients) which had already survived ten years. The mean age of the patients at surgery was 67.1 years (35.7 to 85) with 67 (38.5%) being under 65 years at the time of surgery. They were reviewed at a mean of 14.8 years (10 to 29.4) from surgery to determine survivorship and function. There were 99 knees followed up for 15 years, 21 for 20 years and four for 25 years. The remainder failed, were withdrawn, or the patient had died. In 58 patients (69 knees) the implant was The mean Bristol knee score of the surviving knees fell from 86 (34 to 100) to 79 (42 to 100) during the second decade. Survivorship to 20 years was 85.9% (95% CI 82.9% to 88.9%) and at 25 years was 80% (95% CI 70.2% to 89.8%). Satisfactory survival of a fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee replacement can be achieved into the second decade and beyond.
Lowered by more than 5 mm Restored Elevated more than 5 mm
Joint line elevation >
8mm has been associated with inferior clinical outcome, and depression associated with retropatellar pain and increased risk of patella subluxation. Recently, modifications have been made to the Kine-max-Plus Total Knee System instrumentation, theoretically providing better internal fixation to prevent a varus cut and a 12 mm measured resection from the “normal” tibial plateau. This study aims to examine whether these changes result in an improvement in alignment, and a more reliable restoration of joint line.
Following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKR) only the ‘visible’ measured blood loss is usually known. This underestimates the ‘true’ total loss, as some loss is ‘hidden’. Correct management of blood loss should take hidden loss into account. We studied 101 THAs and 101 TKAs (with re-infusion of drained blood). Following THA, the mean total loss was 1510 ml and the hidden loss 471 ml (26%). Following TKA, the mean total loss was 1498 ml. The hidden loss was 765 ml (49%). Obesity made no difference with either operation. THA involves a small hidden loss, the total loss being 1.3 times that measured. However, following TKA, there may be substantial hidden blood loss due to bleeding into the tissues and residual blood in the joint. The true total loss can be determined by doubling the measured loss.
The aim of this study was to examine causes of the failed knee arthroplasty. Since 1980 the Bristol Knee Replacement Registry has prospectively recorded data on 3024 patients. Complete original and 5 year follow up data was available on 999 knees. The surgery was judged a failure if there was no improvement in the American Knee Society score at 5 years or if there had been a revision within that time. The prosthesis used was Kinematic in 471 knees, the Medial Unicompartmental Sled in 258 knees, the Kinemax Plus in 134 knees and a variety of other designs. At 5 years, 79 (7. 9%) either showed no improvement in the American Knee Society score or had been revised. The failure rate was 7% for the Kinematic, 7% for the medial Sled and 5% for the Kinemax Plus. 20% of the less frequently used designs failed. Five (0. 5%) knee replacements failed because of infection. 22 knees (2. 2%) had significant comorbidity that precluded a satisfactory functional outcome. For 7 knees (0. 7%), the patient exhibited patterns of abnormal illness behaviour that were thought to explain the poor outcome. A further 27 knees (2. 7%) failed because of technical errors either at the time of surgery (13 cases, 1. 3%), or in selecting a prosthesis which failed prematurely (14 cases 1. 4%). No cause for failure could be identified in 12 cases (1. 2%). The high failure rate amongst infrequently used prosthesis emphasises the need to use established designs. No cause for failure could be identified in 12 cases and 5 were due to infection; such cases are hard to avoid. This study shows the importance of assessing both the overall physical and psychological state of the patient if disappointing results are to be avoided. The most frequent cause of an unsatisfactory outcome was a technical one, which should be avoidable.
Isolated patellofemoral arthritis occurs in up to 10% of patients suffering osteoarthritis of the knee. Previous reports of several different patellofemoral designs have given indifferent results. The Lubinus prosthesis has been shown to have a 50% failure rate at eight years in a study of 76 cases. The main reasons for failure were mal-alignment, wear, impingement and disease progression. As a result of these studies, a new prosthesis was designed to solve some of these problems. The Avon patellofemoral arthroplasty was first implanted in September 1996. The cases have been entered into a prospective review with evaluations at eight months, two years and five years. The outcome was assessed using pain scores, Bartlett’s patella score and the Oxford knee score. To date, 186 knees have been treated; over 100 knees have been reviewed at two years and 20 knees at five years. The main pain score improved from a pre-operative level of 13.5 points out of 40 to 33.5 points at two years and 36 at five years. The mean pre-operative movement was 109° and this increased to 120° at five years. The Bartlett patella score improved from a pre-operative level of 10.5 points out of 30 pre-operatively to 23 points at two years and 25 at five years. The Oxford knee score was 20 points out of 48 pre-operatively and this improved to 35 points at two years and 40 points at five years. One patient developed subluxation, which required distal soft tissue realignment. No other patient has developed problems with alignment or wear. Ten knees have developed evidence of disease progression usually in the medial compartment of which six have required revision to a total knee replacement. The results to date suggest that this improved design has all but eliminated the previous problems of malalignment and early wear. The functional results are as good or better than those of a total knee replacement. There is a low complication rate and an excellent range of movement. Disease progression remains a potential problem. This type of prosthesis offers a reasonable alternative to total knee replacement in this small group of patients with isolated, early patellofemoral disease.
The aim of this study was to report our experience of patellofemoral arthroplasty in isolated osteoarthrosis. Material and Methods: The Lubinus Patellofemoral Arthroplasty was performed between 1989 and 1995 in 76 knees. The Avon Patella Femoral Arthroplasty was used from 1996 to 2001 in 187 knees. The average age of the patients was 65.5 years (range 36–87) with a male to female ratio of 1: 5. All the patients have been prospectively reviewed with standard radiographs, the Bristol Knee Score, and more recently Bartlett and Oxford scores.
The Avon Arthroplasty with improved design features for better tracking and congruity was introduced in 1996 and 187 have now been inserted in 147 patients. One hundred and nine knees have been followed for 8 months and 82 have completed the 2 year follow-up. Two patients have undergone revision to a TKR 97.5% (survivorship 2 out of 82). Three patients have had a unicompartmental arthroplasty added for disease progression. There have been no cases of patella maltracking or subliaxation. Four year survivorship for moderate pain and revision is 96% (79 out of 82). Functional scores compared favourably with parallel series of total knee replacements. Conclusion: The medium-term results of the Lubinus Patello Femoral Arthroplasty are unsatisfactory. We suggest the use of this prosthesis should be discontinued. The Avon Arthroplasty has improved results in the short-term.
The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of polyethylene wear in a fixed bearing knee replacement in order to establish a norm against which mobile bearing implants can be judged.
Linear wear was measured using an electronic micrometer and volumetric wear by creating a mould of the defect using dental wax, and subsequently weighing the wax. Results: All components developed dishing which varied in orientation but matched the alignment of the femoral component. A near congruous articulation was thus produced correctly aligned for that particular arthroplasty. The mean linear penetrative wear for the group was 0.33mm (0.09mm per year) and the volumetric wear 124mm³ (26mm³ per year). The rate of wear seemed greatest during the second year.
The latest government targets state that by the end of 2005 the maximum waiting time for an outpatient appointment will be 3 months. These recommendations will not only increase the size of the outpatient clinics, but also the resources required thereafter. The purpose of this study was to analyse the outcome of new knee referrals to one consultant’s knee outpatient service in order to quantify the resources required to investigate and treat these patients. All new patients attending one consultant’s knee out-patient service in the time period January 1st 1997 to December 31st 1997 were prospectively entered into a database recording patient details, source of referral and provisional diagnosis. Eighteen months after the time period a cohort of 200 patients was randomly selected and the notes were analysed retrospectively. The number of outpatient appointment episodes (OPAs), MRI scans, physiotherapy referrals and surgical episodes generated were recorded for each patient. Analysis of the initial database records show that a total of 662 new knee referrals were seen in 1997. 52% (341) were made up of the five most common diagnoses, these being osteoarthritis, anterior knee pain, major anterior cruciate ligament injury, medial ligament injury and medial meniscus injury. Retrospective analysis of the 200 patient notes revealed that these patients required a total of 511 OPAs, 38 MRI scans, 178 courses of physiotherapy and 93 surgical episodes (53 elective and 40 daycase/emergency). These figures can be extrapolated to account for the total number of patients seen: The resource implications of a new knee referral are substantial. Extra resources must accompany each new patient, otherwise, although government targets will be reached the time taken to complete each patient’s treatment will become longer. It is imperative that before an agreement is made to see new patients the resources required to manage them are in place.
Nine patients underwent arthrodesis of the knee using a customised coupled nail (the Mayday arthrodesis nail), five after infected arthroplasty, one following failed arthrodesis, one for intractable anterior knee pain, one for Charcot instability and one after trauma. Comparison was made with 17 arthrodeses, eight undertaken using external fixation, four with dual compression plates, and five with long Küntscher nails. Union was achieved in all patients (100%) at a mean time of ten months using the customised implant. There were no complications despite early weight-bearing. No further procedures were required. This contrasted with a rate of union of 53% and a complication rate of 76% with alternative techniques. Of this second group, 76% required a further operative procedure. We compared the Mayday arthrodesis nail with other techniques of arthrodesis of the knee. The differences in the need for further surgery and occurrence of complications were statistically significant (p <
0.001), and differences in the rate of nonunion and inpatient stay of less than three weeks were also significant (p <
0.05) using Fisher’s exact test. We conclude that a customised coupled intramedullary nail can give excellent stability allowing early weight-bearing, and results in a high rate of union with minimal postoperative complications.
The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) of a single arthritic tibio femoral compartment can slow the progression of arthritis to the other compartment.
All AP and lateral standing knee radiographs at entry and 8 years were scored using the Ahlbach scoring system. The Ahlbach system has been shown to have good inter and intra observer correlation, and to relate closely to pathological findings at operation. An intra and inter observer error study of our results confirmed good correlation.
In the UKR group, four out of 42 knees showed progression of a single Ahlbach grade (9.5%). 2 revisions for arthritic progression were added to this group making a total of six out of 42 (14.3%). In the control group 12 of the 42 knees progressed by one or two Ahlbach grades and a further case underwent surgery making a total of 13 (31%). This difference was significant (p<
0.01). Conclusion: Recent studies have shown that with a better understanding of design, improved selection of patients and better surgical technique, a UKR can have at least as good, if not better, results than a TKR at 5 year follow up, and has benefits of preservation of anatomy, earlier rehabilitation, preservation of bone stock and easier revision. Our radiological findings in this study will need to be correlated with further randomised prospective clinical studies, but suggest that progression of Osteoarthritis is reduced by UKR, and that this should be an additional stated benefit of this surgical technique.
Introduction: Traditionally adolescent anterior knee pain is considered to be a self limiting condition with no long term sequelae. However recently two publications have suggested the condition may be longer lasting. We wish to suggest that adolescent anterior knee pain may lead to patello femoral arthritis.
All patients were sent a postal questionnaire enquiring about adolescent anterior knee pain, knee injury and patella instability. Results: Ninety-three PFR patients and 86 UKR patients replied. The incidence of adolescent AKF and patella instability was higher in the PFR.group.
The aim of this study was to analyse the kneeling ability of patients before and at one and two years after total (TKR), unicompartmental (UKR) and selective patellofemoral (PFR) knee arthroplasty, for osteoarthritis. Method: Data was prospectively collected on 253 knees, which underwent either TKR, UKR or PFR. A kneeling score was obtained by analysis of the relevant section of the Oxford Knee Score questionnaire. Scores were obtained pre-operatively and at 1 and 2 years post-operatively (minimum score 0, maximum 4). Absolute values and change following arthroplasty were recorded. Correlations with pain and other knee functions were also made. Results: Kneeling ability prior to surgery was poor in all three groups (mean score 0.7 out of 4) and improved significantly after surgery (mean score at one year 1.13 and at two years 1.46 out of 4) (P<
0.001). Kneeling ability at 1 year differed significantly with operation type (p = 0.02). Kneeling ability improved most in the first year post-operatively but continued to improve between one and two years although the final function was still not good. Kneeling ability was best in UKR and worst in PFR, with the difference between these prostheses being statistically significant (P<
0.001).
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of a customised coupled arthrodesis nail. Knee arthrodesis is now infrequently performed and is usually reserved as a salvage for infected Joint arthroplasty or occasionally for intractable pain. Many methods have been used. Recently locked intramedullary coupled nails have gained in popularity. To deal with all size combinations a large inventory is required. We wish to report our series using a customised implant and to compare the outcome with other methods of knee arthrodesis. Nine patients underwent arthrodesis using this implant, six following infected arthroplasty, two for intractable anterior knee pain and following trauma. Comparison was made with 17 arthrodeses performed since 1993 using external fixation (8), plates (4), and long K-nails (5). Union was achieved in nine patients (100%) at a mean time of 10 months using the customised implant. There were no complications despite early weight-bearing. No further procedures were required. This contrasted with a union rate of 65% with a 76% complication rate using alternative techniques. Seventy six percent of this second group required a further operative procedure. We conclude that a customised coupled intramedullary nail can give excellent stability allowing early weight-bearing, and results in a high union rate with minimal post-operative complications. The differences in need for further surgery and occurrence of complications were statistically significant (p<
0.001), and differences in in-patient stay and non-union rate were also significant (p<
0.05) using Fisher’s exact test.
At 10 years the cumulative survival rate was 83% and at 15 years 78% (10 knees at risk). The “worst case scenario” where knees with pain or lost to follow up are added to revisions shows a 10 year survivorship of 74%.
The ten-year survivorship figures were similar for both groups. Revision as the end point was 87.5% for the medial Sled and 89.6% for the Kinematic knees. When moderate and severe pain was considered in addition to revision ten-year survivorship was 79.4% in both groups. The worst case survivorship was also 74% in both groups.
We describe 88 knees (79 patients) with lateral unicompartmental osteoarthritis which had been treated by the St Georg Sled prosthesis. At a mean follow-up of nine years (2 to 21) 15 knees had revision surgery, nine for progression of arthritis, six for loosening, four for breakage of a component and four for more than one reason. Six patients complained of moderate or severe pain at the final follow-up. Only five knees were lost to follow-up in the 21-year period. We performed survivorship analysis on the group using revision for any cause as the endpoint. At ten years the cumulative survival rate was 83%, and at 15 years, when ten knees were still at risk, it was 74%. Based on our clinical results and survival rate the St Georg Sled may be considered to be a suitable unicompartmental replacement for isolated lateral compartment osteoarthritis.
Traditional dogma states that anterior knee pain in adolescence does not lead to patello-femoral arthritis. However analysis of 642 new knee referrals seen in one year showed that over 25% had anterior knee pain and that patients were of all ages. This lead to us questioning whether anterior knee pain or adolescent chondromalacia patellae is in fact a benign self limiting condition.
We have studied the long-term outcome of 408 primary medial St George Sled unicompartmental arthroplasties of the knee and 531 primary Kinematic total knee arthroplasties using survivorship analysis. The operations were performed by a number of surgeons under the supervision of two consultants at one orthopaedic centre. Prospective clinical assessment was carried out before and at 2, 5, 8, 10, 12 and 15 years after operation. Failure was defined as follows: revision or removal of the implant; the presence of moderate or severe pain; or ‘worst-case’ with all patients lost to follow-up. Cumulative survival rates at ten years were calculated using life tables. The follow-up rate was 97%. At ten years, 25 medial sled arthroplasties and 20 Kinematic knee arthroplasties had been revised. With revision or removal as the survivorship endpoint at ten years there was a success rate of 87.5% for the medial sled and 89.6% for the Kinematic knee arthroplasty. When moderate or severe pain was included these rates became 79.4% for both arthroplasties. There was no statistically significant (p >
0.05) difference between the rates of survival for the two arthroplasties using either of the endpoint criteria. Good or excellent results were recorded for 77.9% of the medial sled knees and 75.1% for the Kinematic knees. The former had 93.8% of cases with a final range of movement in excess of 90° compared with 83.7% for the Kinematic knees (p <
0.01). We conclude that at a single orthopaedic centre in the UK, the St Georg Sled medial compartment arthroplasty for appropriate specific indications offers predictable survivorship at ten years which is comparable with that of the Kinematic total knee arthroplasty.
We present a prospective review of the outcome of 76 Lubinus patellofemoral arthroplasties carried out in 59 patients between 1989 and 1995. At a mean follow-up of 7.5 years, 62 knees in the 48 patients were reviewed; 11 patients (14 knees) had died. None was lost to follow-up. The clinical outcome using the Bristol Knee Scoring system was satisfactory in 45% of the cases. Maltracking of the patella, resulting in lateral tilt, subluxation and polyethylene wear, was the most common complication (32%). Revision surgery was carried out in 21 knees (28%) giving a cumulative survival rate of 65% (confidence interval (CI) 49 to 77) at eight years. The survival rate for revision and moderate pain was 48% (CI 36 to 59) at six years. Progression of arthritis was seen in seven cases (9%). In five of these (6.5%), the symptoms were severe enough to need revision surgery. Due to the high proportion of unsatisfactory results, we have discontinued the use of this prosthesis.
Failure of a unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) may be caused by progressive osteoarthritis of the knee and/or failure of the prosthesis. Limb alignment can influence both of these factors. We have examined the fate of the other compartments and measured changes in leg alignment after UKR. A total of 50 UKRs was carried out on 45 carefully selected patients between 1989 and 1992. At operation, deliberate attempts were made to avoid overcorrection of the deformity. Four patients died, one patient was lost to follow-up and two knees were revised before review which was at a minimum of five years. Standard long-leg weight-bearing anteroposterior views of the knee and skyline views of the patellofemoral joint were taken before and at eight months and five years after operation. The radiographs of the remaining 43 knees were reviewed twice by blind and randomised assessment to measure the progression of osteoarthritis within the joints. Overcorrection of the deformity in the coronal plane was avoided in all but two knees. Only one showed evidence of progression of osteoarthritis within the patellofemoral joint, and this was only identified in one of the four assessments. Deterioration in the state of the opposite tibiofemoral compartment was not seen. Varus deformity tended to recur. Recurrent varus of 2° was observed between eight months and five years after operation. There was no correlation between the postoperative tibiofemoral angle and the extent of recurrent varus recorded at five years. Changes in alignment may be indicative of minor polyethylene wear or of subsidence of the tibial component. The incidence of progressive osteoarthritis within the knee was very low after UKR. Patients should be carefully selected and overcorrection of the deformity be avoided.
Patella infera may occur after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), high tibial osteotomy and total knee replacement (TKR). Restriction of movement of the knee and pain may result. Our aim was to compare the incidence and to assess the effects of patella infera after TKR and unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR). We reviewed radiographs of the knees of 84 patients who had had either TKR or UKR as part of a randomised, controlled trial. The length of the patellar tendon was measured on serial radiographs taken before, at eight months and at five years after operation. There was no significant change in the length of the patellar tendon after UKR, but a significant reduction was observed after TKR. Five years after the operation, the shortening of the tendon had increased to a mean of 3.5 mm. Of the knees with TKR reviewed at five years, 34% developed patella infera, defined as 10% or more of shortening, compared with 5% of those with UKR. Shortening was greatest in those knees which had required a lateral release; in this subgroup the mean shortening was 7.2 mm. Shortening correlated with restriction of movement and pain in the knee. Our study has shown that patella infera develops in most patients after TKR with lateral release, and in approximately 25% of patients after TKR without this additional procedure. Patella infera rarely occurs after UKR. It is associated with restriction of movement and pain in the knee. It may be an effect of the more extensive exposure required to perform TKR and may, in part, explain the better clinical results of UKR.
We randomised 102 knees suitable for a unicompartmental replacement to receive either a unicompartmental (UKR) or total knee replacement (TKR) after arthrotomy. Both groups were well matched with a predominance of females and a mean age of 69 years. Patients in the UKR group showed less perioperative morbidity, but regained knee movement more rapidly and were discharged from hospital sooner. At five years, two UKRs and one TKR had been revised; another TKR was radiologically loose. All other knees appeared to be clinically and radiologically sound. Pain relief was good in both groups but the number of knees able to flex ≥ 120° was significantly higher in the UKR group (p <
0.001) and there were more excellent results in this group. Our findings have shown that UKR gives better results than TKR and that this superiority is maintained for at least five years.
We have carried out a randomised, controlled trial on 70 patients having unilateral total knee replacement in which transfusion was either with homologous bank blood or by reinfusion of unwashed blood salvaged after operation. No complications or adverse effects were observed from reinfusion. The need for bank blood was reduced by 86% in the reinfusion group but, more importantly, the number of infective episodes was significantly less when the use of bank blood was avoided. The mean length of stay in hospital was also reduced by more than two days.