5-YEAR TO 18-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF CEMENTED TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTYFOR PATIENTS 55-YEARS-OLD OR YOUNGER

Seventy-two cemented total knee arthroplasties were performed on 52 pa tients who were 55 years old or younger. Results on 68 knees in 50 pat ients with an average follow-up period of 9.92 years are reported. The average age of the patients was 50.7 years (range, 30-55) at the time of surgery. The diagnosis was osteoarthritis in 37 knees, rheumatoid arthritis in 29 knees, and ankylosing spondylitis in 2 knees. The aver age preoperative Knee Society knee score was 23, and the average follo w-up knee score was 97. Ail knees were rated as good or excellent for knee score. The average latest function score was 75 (preoperative, 36 ). Both knees in one patient required revision for loose components. T his review demonstrates that cemented total knee arthroplasty in young er patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can attain re sults comparable to the excellent results obtained in the older age gr oups.