J Knee Surg 2007; 20(3): 195-198
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1248042
Original Article

© 2007 Thieme Medical Publishers

Constrained Condylar Knee Without Stem Extensions for Difficult Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

John A. Anderson, Andrea Baldini, James H. MacDonald, Ivan Tomek, Paul M. Pellicci, Thomas P. Sculco
  • The Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
20 January 2010 (online)

ABSTRACT

Two hundred forty-eight constrained condylar total knee arthroplasties consecutively implanted without the use of diaphyseal stem extensions were studied in 180 patients. Preoperative deformity was severe (82% Ahlbäck grade 4-5). One hundred ninety-two knees (148 patients) were reviewed at mean 47-month follow-up (range: 24-72 months). Knee Society score improved from 36 to 89 points, and function score improved from 42 to 76 points. Failure rate was 2.5% (2 infections, 1 aseptic loosening, 1 supracondylar femoral fracture, and 1 tibial post fracture). Five (2.5%) knees had patellofemoral complications. Nonprogressive radiolucent lines were present in 16% of cases.

Use of a nonmodular constrained condylar knee for primary severely damaged knees demonstrated reliable short- to mid-term results with a low complication rate and questioned the routine use of intramedullary stem extensions in all such cases.

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