We evaluated 17 rheumatoid knees, followed-up over 15 years, after total knee arthroplasty without patella replacement. All cases were women. Ten knees (AJ group) were replaced with an anteriorly joined type, and seven knees (PCR group) were replaced with posterior cruciate retention type of kinematic prostheses. The average age at surgery was 47.5 years (range 30 to 62) in the AJ group and 46.9 years (range 43 to 52) in the PCR group.The average follow-up periods were 15.4 years (range 15 to 17) in the AJ group and 15.9 years (range 15 to 18) in the PCR group. Knee functions were evaluated according to the criteria of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA score) . The average ROM preoperatively was 40°-108.7°in the AJ group, 14.8°-99.5°in the PCR group. The average ROM postoperatively was 0°-100°in th AJ group, -2.8°-104.2°in the PCR group. The mean total JOA score for the AJ group was 37.0 (range 13 to 48) preoperatively, 73.5 (range 43 to 88) postoperatively. The mean total JOA score for the PCR group was 42.7 (range 26 to 51) preoperatively, 80.0 (range 56 to 89) postoperatively in the PCR group. The total scores improved from 10 preoperatively (poor) to 5 (excellent) at last follow-up in the AJ group, and 7 (poor) to 4 (excellent) in the PCR group. The patella was resurfaced in one knee in the AJ group and 4 knees in the PCR group later. The results.suggested that knee function was well maintained over 15 years from surgery.
