Abstract
From 1978 through 1984, a total condylar-type knee prosthetic system was implanted in 20 knees in 16 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 28 knees in 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at Kyoto University Hospital. The scores for activities of daily living, walking distance, valgus-varus deformity, and pain significantly improved after the operation as evaluated by the knee joint scoring method. However, no difference was seen in range of motion of the knee. The mean preoperative flexion contracture of 18°improved to 3 degrees, but the mean preoperative flexion range of 106°decreased to 94 degrees.
Preoperatively, the scores in items such as walking distance, valgus-varus deformity and pain were significantly higher in RA patients comparing to those in OA patients, but extension of the knee and range of motion were superior in the latter group and the scores of total evaluation were not different between the two groups. Because the scores in items such as activity of daily living and walking distance were significantly higher in OA patients than in RA patients postoperatively, total scores were lower in RA group than in the OA group.
Variation of positioning of the femoral and tibial components showed no correlation with postoperative joint scores in this series, but the length of patellar tendon estimated by Insall-Salivati method showed a slight correlation with the range of extension and flexion. No loosening of components has been observed in this series.
