SIMULTANEOUS BILATERAL TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY FOR RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Objective. To study the result of one staged bilateral total knee arth roplasty (TKA) operation under epidural anesthesia on patients with se vere rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. From April 1987 to December 1 992, simultaneous bilateral TKA was performed on 45 patients (90 knees ), including 41 patients with RA, 3 with juvenile RA, and 1 with Sjogr en syndrome. The mean follow-up period was 63 months. Results. Improve d function and pain relief were noted in all patients. There were no w ound healing problems. Thrombophlebitis was observed in few cases. Lat e infection rate was 5.6% (5 knees) and aseptic loosening was revised on 5 knees. Conclusions. Simultaneous bilateral TKA is not only a proc edure of low cost, saving blood, reducing anesthesia risk, drugs' side effect and hospitalization, but also facilitates early rehabilitation . Except for late infection, there is no increase in complications.