Clinical outcome and complications after kinematic total knee arthroplasty and after Kinemax total knee arthroplasty

A follow-up study was conducted on 31 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (45 knees) and 26 osteoarthritis (OA) patients (36 knees) who underwent kinematic total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between 1983 and 1989, as well as 34 RA patients (43 knees) and 43 OA patients (52 knees) who underwent Kinemax TKA between 1989 and 1993 (174 knees in total). The follow-up period was 9 years 10 months for the kinematic group, and 6 years 6 months for the Kinemax group. Among the RA patients, ambulatory ability was 83.9% in the kinematic group and 87.5% in the Kinemax group. Among the OA patients, the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was 70.8 in the kinematic group and 70.6 in the Kinemax group. The radiographic position of the components was better and radiolucent lines were less common in the Kinemax group than in the kinematic group. Revision surgery was performed on 8 knees (for aseptic loosening in 6, late infection in 1, and contracture in 1). Treatment of other complications included arthrodesis for 2 knees affected by late infection, and Ender nailing for 2 knees following supracondylar fracture of the femur. Posterior dislocation of the tibial component occurred in 1 knee, and was reduced under spinal anesthesia.