Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the outcome of re-operations performed at this district general hospital on total knee replacements over a period of nine and a half years: we also compare the reasons for re-operation as well as their timing.
Total knee replacements performed at this hospital and other centres requiring re-operation involving an open procedure were included in this study (total number =58). Patients were assessed both before and after re-operation using the knee society score. Data was recorded with respect to the type of original pros-thesis, reason for and time to re-operation as well as the nature of the re-operation procedure itself.
Pre- and post-operative knee society scores showed a mean improvement of 20 with respect to the function scores and 65 with respect to knee scores. 50% of re-operations were for aseptic loosening with a further 25% each for infection and instability.
In conclusion, re-operation for total knee replacement is shown to have had a satisfactory outcome in most cases. The results for revision surgery using a two stage procedure, in the treatment of infected total knee replacements, showed this to be very effective.
Correspondence should be addressed to Roger Smith, Honorary Secretary, BASK c/o Royal College of Surgeons, 35 – 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
