The Kinemax total knee arthroplasty - Nine years' experience

We reviewed the outcome of 422 primary cemented Kinemax total knee arthropl asties implanted into 369 patients over a period of five years, from Januar y 1989. The operations were carried out at two NHS district general hospita ls and one teaching hospital by 31 surgeons. During the period of review, 4 9 patients died and ten knees were lost to follow-up (68 knees). The mean K nee Society score improved from 28 before to 89 after surgery, and the mean function score increased from 23 to 79, The range of flexion improved from 92 degrees to 105 degrees. These improvements were maintained throughout the period of study. At the l atest review radiolucent lines of 1 mm were seen around 15% of tibial compo nents, 1.4% of patellar components and 9.5% of femoral components. In no ca se were these changes progressive. Using revision as the endpoint, cumulati ve survival was 99% after five years and 96.95% after nine years. All revis ions were undertaken for deep infection or secondary trauma. Our study has shown that the Kinemax total knee replacement, when carried o ut with retention of the posterior cruciate ligament by surgeons of varying experience, produces very satisfactory results in the medium term.