Result of evaluation of total knee arthroplasty

The primary indication for total knee arthroplasty is to relieve pain caused by severe arthritis, with or without significant deformity. Total knee arthroplasty performed in degenerative knee joint diseases with severe deformity significantly improves patients complaints and functional results.In between january 2002- December 2007, total knee arthroplasty was performed in 65 knees of 40 patients (34 women, 6 men; mean age 61.15 years; range 54 to 75 years) with degenerative knee joint diseases accompanied by severe deformity and pain. Almost all the patients had osteoarthritis (37 knees, 92.5%) or rheumatoid arthritis (3 knees, 7.5%).During surgery, the posterior cruciate ligament was sacrificed in 2 (3.1%) knees and retained in 63 (96.9%) knees. Pre- and postoperative assessments were made according to the American Knee Society clinical scoring systems. The mean follow-up was 29.3 months (range 11 to 74 months).Clinical results were good or excellent in 86.2% of patients. Complications encountered were deep infection in two patients, deep venous thrombosis in three patients, and patellar tendon rupture in one patient.The mean increases in knee scores were 41.5. Improvement in the mean postoperative knee flexion was 8.1 degrees. The mean leg alignment was 4.8° valgus and 3.5° varus.The reasons for revision were infection-related problems (2 knee; 3.07 %) and aseptic loosening (3 knee; 4.6 %).Key words: Total knee arthroplasty, degenerative knee joint diseases