[Clinical versus radiological mid-term results of total knee arthroplasty for degenerative arthritis of the knee].

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is widely accepted method for treatment of severe osteoarthritis. The aim of this paper was to retrospectively review patients operated in our institution with total condylar knee arthroplasty due to osteoarthritis and assess clinical and radiological results of this procedure. All patients treated with TKA between 1998 and 2001 were reviewed, those with diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis were excluded from the study. One hundred and one TKA in 68 patients were studied. WOMAC protocol and KSS (Knee Society Score) were used to evaluate patients clinically, and KSS alone for radiological analysis. Bone-implant interface has been studied, position of the implants and mechanical axis of the limb both pre- and postoperatively. Excellent and good results were achieved in 89% of TKA. Subjective self-assessment was usually worse than objective one. Radiolucency was found in 16 cases (more often around tibial component than the femoral one), usually without clinical symptoms of the loosening. An accurate alignment within the range of 3 to 9 degrees valgus has been found in 68% of the knees. Subjective scores were worse than objective clinical assessment. The clinical score was higher than radiological one. The tendency to varus tibial implant fixation was observed. Suboptimal implantation has not led to implant loosening in mid-term results.