SURVIVAL OF THE TOWNLEY KNEE - 360 CASES WITH 8 (0.1-15) YEARS FOLLOW-UP

We evaluated 360 Townley arthroplasties in 167 OA and in 193 RA knees, performed between 1978-1986. 35 revisions were performed during the f ollow-up time. The main reasons for revision were aseptic loosening (1 8 knees), instability (6 knees), and infection (5 knees). The durabili ty of different prosthesis components and of different tibial trays in relation to loosening were analyzed separately. The probability of th e prosthesis remaining in situ was 94 percent after 5 years and 89 per cent after 10 years. The success rate at 10 years was not significantl y higher in arthrosis (94 percent) than in rheumatoid arthritis (85 pe rcent). The other patient-related factors, age, sex, weight, did not i nfluence the results. Comparing the different prosthesis components an d the different designs of the tibial tray, we found no differences in success rates.