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PubMed2005

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: troubleshooting implant positioning and technical failures.

Improvements to implant design and the advent of minimally invasive surgery have increased the popularity of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Minimally invasive techniques for implant placement can augment the unicompartmental knee arthroplasty procedure and allow for more rapid rehabilitation and return to activities of daily living. Nevertheless, new technologies are accompanied by learning curves and rediscovery of past mistakes. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty tends to be more technically demanding than total knee arthroplasty, and complications occur with placement of unicompartmental knee devices. This article discusses proper and improper implantation techniques and provides technical guidance and suggestions for improving the outcomes of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗
PubMed2005

[Long-term results of resection arthroplasty of the metacarpophalangeal joint in rheumatoid arthritis].

The metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis reported is a modification of the Vainio-Arthroplasty. The main difference of the technique is the fixation of the proximal extensor tendon to the palmar plate, better to the ligamentum metacarpeum transversum profundum. The more flexion of the metacarpophalangeal joint the more reposition of the joint is achieved. The long-term results of 30 arthroplasties of the metacarpophalangeal joint are presented in a prospective study. The cases were followed for 10.5 to 14.5 years (average 11.6 years). Marked release of pain was found in all patients. 75 per cent of the patients reported functional improvement of their hand at a score of "good" or "very good". The postoperative movement was 70 degrees on an average. In summary, the resection arthroplasty of the metacarpophalangeal joints produces very good function and correction of the ulnar deviation and palmar luxation of the MCP-joints. The arthroplasty is a real alternative to the total endoprosthetic replacement of metacarpophalangeal joints in rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Long-term outcome of arthroplasty of the first metatarsophalangeal joint].

INTRODUCTION: Resection arthroplasty of the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint is a wellknown operation for hallux valgus. The follow-up results more than 17 years after arthroplasty are recorded and discussed. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 1971 and 1980, 335 arthroplasties were performed on 205 patients. The only indication for arthroplasty of the great toe was hallux valgus. The technique of arthroplasty was according to Keller-Brandes. 102 patients were reexamined clinically and radiographically, after 17.6 years on average. RESULTS: Questionnaire assessment revealed a significantly prolonged walking distance and 70% of the patients were painfree at the time of investigation, whereas 67% suffered from severe pain before operation. Clinical evaluation showed diminished weightbearing of the great toe during walking and a reduced range of motion of the partial-resected first metatarsal-phalangeal joint. Radiographically the shortening of the phalangeal bone of 37% was evident as expected. Hallux-valgus-angle was 23 degrees at the time of investigation and 34 degrees preoperatively in the mean. DISCUSSION: The high rate of hallux valgus relapse, especially due to a high intermetatarsal angle demonstrate unsatisfactory longterm results by the Keller-Brandes operation. We now recommend this operation for older patients and a differentiated approach according to the clinical and radiographical situation for younger patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in rates of knee arthroplasty among Medicare patients.

BACKGROUND: There are large variations in the use of knee arthroplasty among Medicare enrollees according to race or ethnic group and sex. Are racial and ethnic disparities more pronounced in some regions than in others, and if so, why? METHODS: We used all Medicare fee-for-service claims data for 1998 through 2000 to determine the incidence of knee arthroplasty according to Hospital Referral Region, sex, and race or ethnic group. A total of 430,726 knee arthroplasties were performed during the three-year study period. RESULTS: At the national level, the annual rate of knee arthroplasty was higher for non-Hispanic white women (5.97 procedures per 1000) than for Hispanic women (5.37 per 1000) and black women (4.84 per 1000). The rate for non-Hispanic white men (4.82 procedures per 1000) was higher than that for Hispanic men (3.46 per 1000) and more than double that for black men (1.84 per 1000). The rates were significantly lower for black men than for non-Hispanic white men in nearly every region of the country (P<0.05). For the Hispanic population and for black women, racial or ethnic disparities at the national level were due in part to geographic differences rather than to differences in the rates for different racial and ethnic groups within geographic areas. Residential segregation and low income levels contributed to racial and ethnic disparities in arthroplasty rates. CONCLUSIONS: In the Medicare population, the rate of surgical treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee varies dramatically according to sex, race or ethnic group, and region. These variations underscore the importance of geography and sex in determining racial or ethnic barriers to health care.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fractured rheumatoid elbow: treatment with Souter elbow arthroplasty--a clinical and radiologic midterm follow-up study.

We report the results in 26 patients who had 32 preoperative fractures treated with Souter elbow arthroplasty. All were rheumatoid patients with a mean disease duration of 29.7 years (range, 10 to 43). Six of the fractures were of the olecranon and 26 of the distal humerus. The time interval between fracture and arthroplasty was 9 months (mean; range, 0 to 48). Fragments were not excised, and osteosynthesis was performed. The follow-up was 2.6 years (mean; range, 0.5 to 8), when 20 of the fractures had united and 12 had not. K-wire fixation, either alone or in combination with cerclage or PDS suture, and bone grafting led to satisfactory results. Union was verified in 14 of 17 cases treated with this technique. There were no severe early complications. Six patients had late complications. In 3 cases, loosening of the humeral component was observed radiologically. One patient had a hematogenous deep infection 4 years after the operation, and 2 patients had avulsion rupture of the triceps tendon. Fracture in the badly destroyed elbow can be more reasonably treated with an arthroplasty than with an attempt of osteosynthesis before arthroplasty. If excision of the fragments is avoided, original, or near original, anatomy of the elbow joint can be better restored and acceptable outcome obtained with elbow arthroplasty.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral nonunions.

Between 1980 and 1997, 27 patients underwent shoulder arthroplasty because of pain or functional impairment due to a proximal humeral nonunion. Twenty-five of the 27 shoulders with a mean 6-year follow-up period (range, 2-15 years) were included in the study. There were 19 women and 6 men, with a mean age of 65 years. The most frequent original fracture types were 2-part surgical neck (64%) and 3-part greater tuberosity fractures (28%). Twenty-one shoulders underwent hemiarthroplasty, and 4 underwent total shoulder arthroplasty. Shoulder arthroplasty resulted in significant pain relief, with mean pain scores decreasing from 4.6 to 1.8 points (P <.05). Mean active elevation improved from 41 degrees preoperatively to 88 degrees postoperatively (P <.05), and mean external rotation from 22 degrees to 38 degrees (P =.045). In 11 shoulders the greater tuberosity resorbed or was nonunited. Two of the 25 shoulders required another operation after the arthroplasty: one for periprosthetic humeral fracture and one for instability. Twenty shoulders were much better or better, and 5 were the same or worse. On the basis of a modified Neer result rating system, there was 1 excellent result, 11 satisfactory results, and 13 unsatisfactory results. Patients who have significant functional impairment from a nonunion of the humeral surgical neck with failed internal fixation, severe osteoporosis, cavitation of the humeral head, or secondary osteoarthritis may benefit from shoulder arthroplasty. Although function is not completely restored, pain relief and high levels of subjective satisfaction can be achieved.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Patient satisfaction after knee arthroplasty: a report on 27,372 knees operated on between 1981 and 1995 in Sweden.

During a validation process of the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register (SKAR), living registered patients were sent a questionnaire to ask if they had been reoperated on. This gave an opportunity to pose a simple four-point question with respect to patient satisfaction which 95% of patients answered. We analyzed the answers of patients operated on between 1981 and 1995 and found that only 8% of the patients were dissatisfied regarding their knee arthroplasty 2-17 years postoperatively. The satisfaction rate was constant, regardless of when the operation had been performed during the 15-year period. The proportion of satisfied patients was affected by the preoperative diagnosis, patients operated on for a long-standing disease more often being satisfied than those with a short disease-duration. There was no difference in proportions of satisfied patients, whether they had primarily been operated on with a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or a medial unicompartmental arthroplasty (UKA). For TKAs performed with primary patellar resurfacing, there was a higher ratio of satisfied patients than for TKAs not resurfaced, but this increased ratio diminished with time passed since the primary operation. Unrevised knees had a higher proportion of satisfied patients than knees that had been subject to revision, and among patients revised for medial UKA, the proportion of satisfied patients was higher than among patients revised for TKA. We conclude that satisfaction after knee arthroplasty is stable and long-lasting in unrevised cases and that even after revision most patients are satisfied.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗
PubMed2001

The Finnish Arthroplasty Register: report of the hip register.

The Finnish Arthroplasty Register was established in 1980. Between 1980 and 1999, 62,841 primary and 12,224 revision total hip arthroplasties (THA) were recorded. The annual number of both primary and revision THA has increased: in 1999, the incidence of primary THAs was 93/100,000. 174 implant designs have been used, but the 6 commonest implants comprised 82% in 1999. Since the late 1980s, more than 40% of the hips were inserted without cement. Over 47% of the cementless primary hip prostheses were used in patients younger than 60 years and over 93% of the cemented primary hips were used in patients 60 years or older. The 10-year survival rate was 72 (95% CI 67-76)% in patients younger than 55 years and 90 (89-91)% in patients older than 70 years. The commonest reasons for revision were aseptic loosening (65%), dislocation (9%) and infection (7%). In revisions, the 5-year survival of the cementless hip prosthesis improved over time: it was 85 (82-87)% in 1985-1989, 89 (88-91)% in 1990-1994 and 92 (88-95)% in 1995-1999. There are striking differences between the Arthroplasty Registers of Scandinavia as regards the end-point definition of survival. The Finnish Arthroplasty Register considers all reasons for revisions as the end-point of survival, but the Swedish register takes into account only aseptic loosening, so direct comparisons between registers are not possible. Recent data from the Finnish Arthroplasty Register indicate that the results of total hip replacements are improving in Finland. With the civic registration number, one can link and match data files. For example, with use of the Finnish Cancer Register, we found no increase in the risk of cancer after a THA.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗
PubMed2003

Costs of internal fixation and arthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures: a randomized study of 68 patients.

We included in a prospective, randomized study 68 patients aged 70 years or older, with displaced cervical hip fractures. The patients were randomized to internal fixation with hook-pins (36) or primary arthroplasty (32) (total or hemiarthroplasty due to their prefracture status) and followed for 2 years. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, mental confusion and/or residence in an institution were excluded. The postoperative stay in hospital, rehabilitation wards or nursing homes were recorded as well as complications and the costs of surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the accumulated costs of each method, during the first 2 years after the fracture. In the internal fixation group, 15/36 were considered failures, as compared to 1/32 in the arthroplasty group. As regards primary treatment of the fracture, the durations of surgery and hospital stay were shorter after internal fixation, but the total need for hospitalization/institutionalization was somewhat longer in these patients. The mean 2-year cost for a patient with internal fixation was USD 21,000 and of one with primary arthroplasty USD 15,000. We conclude that primary arthroplasty is a cost-efficient treatment. Considering the very much higher failure rate after internal fixation--leading to increased suffering for these patients--primary arthroplasty stands out as the best method for displaced fractures of the femoral neck.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Risk factors and initial surgical failures of TMJ arthrotomy and arthroplasty: a four to nine year evaluation of 303 surgical procedures.

Studies exist which support the efficacy of TM joint arthrotomy, arthroplasty and arthroscopic surgery. Few, if any, studies have evaluated failures of arthroplasty and/or diskectomy and specific risk factors that might invite initial surgical failure. This paper is a retrospective review of 210 patients operated with arthrotomy/arthroplasty for painful and dysfunctional TM joint derangement. There were 303 surgical procedures evaluated over a follow-up period of 4-9 years. Patient ages ranged from 16-72 years. There was no age correlation seen with degree of joint derangement. All cases were operated by one surgeon. There were no cases of alloplastic materials in this group of patients. There were no cases of autograph such as auricular cartilage for dermal grafting or other disc substitution materials. Operations consisted of capsular arthroplasty in Wilkes' stage II, III, and IV. Diskectomy was performed in Wilkes' stages IV and V. Comparisons are made among staged groups and operation performed. Two hundred seventy-three of 303 operated joints met the criteria for surgical success for a technical success rate of 90.1%. Potential risk factors of missing molar teeth, preoperative joint collapse, and skeletal malocclusion were evaluated. The frequency of their presence in successful and non-successful surgical outcomes is noted. Patients with imaging confirmed osteoporosis were evaluated as group with potential systemic disease or a result of systemic disease that may influence long term surgical outcome. Predictable preoperative risk factors that may influence initial surgical outcome do appear to be significant in long term success. There were 30 cases of failure to evaluate. It is concluded that reconstructive arthroplasty is a stage specific operation with excellent results in Wilkes' stage II and good results in stage III derangement. Attempted arthroplasty failed significantly (50%) in a small number of attempts in stage IV cases. However, diskectomy was successful in stage IV and V cases. Osteoporosis may be the most significant risk factor and the presence of risk factors studied may jeopardize initial surgical outcomes. Preoperative staging of joint derangement is strongly suggested and evaluation of risk factors may necessitate selection of specific initial surgical procedures that minimize the influence of concomitant risk factors to long term success.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Oxford medial unicompartmental arthroplasty for focal spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) is a distinct clinical condition occurring in patients without any associated risk factors. There is controversy as to the best method of treatment, and the available literature would suggest that patients with SONK have a worse outcome than those with primary osteoarthrosis when arthroplasty is performed. We assessed the outcome of medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) using the Oxford prosthesis for end-stage focal spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK; Ahlbäck grades III and IV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed 29 knees (27 patients) with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee using the Oxford Knee Score. 26 knees had osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle and 3 had osteonecrosis of the medial tibial plateau. All had been operated on using the Oxford Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA). This group was compared to a similar group (28 knees, 26 patients) who had undergone the same arthroplasty, but because of primary osteoarthrosis. Patients were matched for age, sex and time since operation. The mean length of follow-up was 5 (1-13) years. RESULTS: There were no implant failures in either group, but there was 1 death (from unrelated causes) 9 months after arthroplasty in the group with osteonecrosis. The mean Oxford Knee Score in the group with osteonecrosis was 38, and it was 40 in the group with osteoarthrosis. INTERPRETATION: Use of the Oxford Medial UKA for spontaneous focal osteonecrosis of the knee is reliable in the short to medium term, and gives results similar to those obtained when it is used for patients with primary osteoarthrosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Primary arthroplasty is better than internal fixation of displaced femoral neck fractures: a meta-analysis of 14 randomized studies with 2,289 patients.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures has long been debated. 14 randomized controlled studies (RCTs) comparing internal fixation with primary arthroplasty may give material for evidence-based decision making. METHODS: Computerized databases were searched for RCTs published between 1966 and 2004. 14 RCTs containing 2,289 patients were included in a metaanalysis regarding complications, reoperations and mortality. The analysis was performed with software from the Cochrane collaboration. RESULTS: Primary arthroplasty leads to significantly fewer major method-related hip complications and reoperations, compared to internal fixation. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups at 30 days and 1 year. Most of the studies found better function and less pain after primary arthroplasty. INTERPRETATION: Primary arthroplasty should be used in most patients with displaced femoral neck fracture. The healthy, lucid individual, 70-80 years old, should be given a total hip arthroplasty. The older, impaired or institutionalized patient would benefit from a hemiarthroplasty.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Immediate weightbearing after uncemented total hip arthroplasty.

Radiographic subsidence of the femoral prosthesis and clinical results after unilateral and simultaneous bilateral uncemented total hip arthroplasty were compared. Patients who had bilateral total hip arthroplasty began weight-bearing as tolerated on both lower extremities the day after surgery. Patients who had undergone unilateral total hip arthroplasty were maintained at 10% weightbearing on the operative limb for 6 weeks after surgery. Patients in both groups were matched for age, gender, and weight. Minimal followup was 2 years. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of clinical results. Radiographic assessments were performed immediately after surgery, 6 weeks after surgery, and again at 2 years after surgery. Radiographs were reviewed by a single observer and analyzed with a digitized data recorder. Increased subsidence of the femoral prosthesis within the bilateral group was found at 6 weeks. The mean subsidence of the femoral prosthesis at 6 weeks for the bilateral total hip arthroplasty group was 0.86 mm (range, 0.18-2.60 mm) and for the unilateral group was 0.39 mm (range, 0.07-1.46 mm). However, subsidence occurring between 6 weeks and 2 years averaged 0.50 mm (range, 0.09-1.10 mm) for the bilateral group and 0.54 mm (range, 0.03-0.99 mm) for the unilateral group. This difference was not significant. At the 2-year followup, all femoral prostheses in both groups appeared radiographically stable with evidence of bone ingrowth and no indications of loosening. Thus, immediate weightbearing after bilateral total hip arthroplasty in this study resulted in more initial subsidence (during the first 6 weeks after surgery) of the femoral prosthesis but did not preclude the prosthesis from becoming stable and achieving bone ingrowth. Patients in both groups obtained satisfactory clinical results. Because initial stability and bone ingrowth are factors influenced by prosthesis design, the results of this study may not be applicable to all implants.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Flexion instability after primary posterior cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty.

Between 1990 and 1995, 25 painful primary posterior cruciate ligament retaining total knee arthroplasties were revised for flexion instability. These patients shared typical clinical presentations that included a sense of instability without frank giving way, recurrent knee joint effusion, soft tissue tenderness involving the pes anserine tendons and the retinacular tissue, posterior instability of 2+ or 3+ with a posterior drawer or a posterior sag sign at 90 degrees flexion, and above average motion of their total knee arthroplasty. The primary total knee arthroplasty was performed for osteoarthritis in 23 patients and rheumatoid arthritis in two patients. There were 13 male and 12 female patients and their mean age was 65 years (range, 35-77 years). Before the revision operation, Knee Society knee scores averaged 45 points (range, 17-68 points) and function scores averaged 42 points (range, 0-60 points). Twenty-two of the knee replacements were revised to posterior stabilized implants and three underwent tibial polyethylene liner exchange only. Nineteen of the 22 knee replacements revised to a posterior stabilized implant were improved markedly after the revision surgery. Only one of three knee replacements that underwent tibial polyethylene exchange was improved. After the revision for flexion instability, Knee Society knee scores averaged 90 points (range, 82-99 points) and function scores averaged 75 points (range, 45-100 points) for the 20 knees with a successful outcome. This study suggests that flexion instability can be a cause of persistent pain and functional impairment after posterior cruciate ligament retaining total knee arthroplasty. A revision operation that focuses on balancing the flexion and extension spaces, in conjunction with a posterior stabilized knee implant, seems to be a reliable treatment for symptomatic flexion instability after posterior cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Cost analysis of revision total hip arthroplasty. A 5-year followup study.

A stratified, unselected sample of 30 patients who underwent revision total hip arthroplasty between 1990 and 1992 for whom complete clinical and financial data were available was studied. Clinical data included age, gender, diagnosis, length of stay, operative time and blood loss. Financial data included cost of implants, bone graft and accessories, hospital charge, and surgeon reimbursement. Results were compared with the results of an analogous group of 50 patients who underwent revision total hip arthroplasty at the same institution between 1995 and 1997. Cases were classified as simple (involving revision of only acetabular liner and/or femoral head), routine (revision of acetabular and/or femoral components), or complex (major structural graft, antiprotrusio cage, impacted grafting). For patients undergoing routine revision total hip arthroplasty, a dramatic decline of 52% occurred in length of stay during the 5-year span (10.7 days to 5.1 days). The average operative time also declined significantly (238 minutes to 199 minutes) as did the average implant cost ($4349 to $2827). Despite this, the average hospital charge increased 16% ($29,666 to $34,328). There was a significant and dramatic 35% decline in surgeon reimbursement ($3240 to $2178). There was no significant difference in surgeon reimbursement between simple, routine, and complex total hip arthroplasty. Patients who underwent complex procedures had a significantly greater length of stay (7.3 versus 5.1 days) and operative time (297 versus 199 minutes). The hospital charge was dramatically higher for patients undergoing complex procedures ($51,290 versus $34,328) but the surgeon reimbursement was lower on average, although not statistically significant ($1926 versus $2178). There was a significant increase in the number and complexity of revision total hip arthroplasties between the two periods. Significant decreases were achieved in length of stay, operating room time, and implant cost. Benefits from these changes were accrued to the hospital but not the surgeon because hospital costs decreased significantly whereas surgeon reimbursements declined dramatically.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗
PubMed2000

Bipolar versus total hip arthroplasty for hip osteonecrosis in the same patient.

The authors studied 28 patients with bilateral avascular necrosis of the femoral head who were treated with a cementless bipolar endoprosthesis in one hip and cementless total hip arthroplasty in the other. All the hips selected for bipolar endoprostheses were classified as having avascular necrosis of the femoral head Ficat Stage III, and all the hips selected for total hip arthroplasty were classified as having Ficat Stage IV avascular necrosis. After a midterm followup of an average of 6.4 years (range, 4-12 years), 24 of 28 hips that received bipolar endoprostheses were considered satisfactory, whereas 23 of 28 hips in which an arthroplasty was done were considered satisfactory. After a followup of more than 6 years, the cartilaginous space of the acetabulum could be preserved in 25 hips (89.3%) that received a bipolar endoprosthesis. There were no statistical differences in both groups in terms of clinical result, thigh pain, groin pain, osteolysis, dislocation, and revision rate. Total hip arthroplasty is not the preferred treatment for all patients with hip osteonecrosis. In young patients with Ficat Stage III osteonecrosis with Grade 0 or Grade I cartilage, the use of a cementless bipolar endoprosthesis with a bone ingrowth stem may be considered as an alternative to total hip arthroplasty.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Use of recombinant human erythropoietin in two-stage total knee arthroplasty for infection.

A multicenter prospective study was conducted to determine whether epoetin alfa could be used to lower transfusion requirements after two-stage exchange arthroplasty for infection. Forty-one consecutive patients undergoing successful two-stage exchange arthroplasty for an infected total knee arthroplasty were enrolled in a prospective study. Epoetin alfa (40,000 units) was administered subcutaneously after prosthesis resection and antibiotic spacer placement. Although there was no difference in the hemoglobin levels before resection arthroplasty or on postoperative Day 3 between the study group and the control group, hemoglobin levels before reimplantation were higher in the patients who received epoetin alfa (12.4 mg/dL; range, 9.3-15.1 mg/dL) compared with the control group (11.3 mg/dL; range, 8.1-14.4 mg/dL). Average increase in hemoglobin level in the interval between stages was higher in the treatment group (3.2 mg/dL; range, -0.7-6.8 mg/dL) than the control group (1.7 mg/dL; range, -1.9-6 mg/dL). The transfusion rate decreased from 83% of patients in the control group to 34% in the study group during reimplantation. In addition, overall incidence of transfusion for either stage improved from 89% in the control group to 44% in the patients treated with epoetin alfa. Perioperative epoetin alfa statistically increased the hemoglobin levels and decreased transfusion rates for patients undergoing two-stage revision for infected total knee arthroplasty.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗
PubMed2001

Is obesity a contraindication to bilateral total knee arthroplasties under one anesthetic?

Three-hundred sixteen patients who underwent 405 primary knee replacements between January 1994 and June 1999 were reviewed for the incidence of local wound and systemic complications after unilateral and simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasties. A body mass index of 30 or greater was used to define obesity, and patients were divided into four groups based on obesity and whether they were undergoing unilateral or bilateral total knee arthroplasties. Preoperative and postoperative knee scores were not significantly different for any patient group. Local wound complication rates did not differ between any of the study groups. Patients who were not obese who underwent unilateral total knee arthroplasty had lower systemic complication rates (3%) than the other groups; however, there was no significant difference in complication rates between patients with obesity who underwent unilateral or simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasties. Based on these findings, obesity does not seem to be a contraindication to bilateral total knee arthroplasties under one anesthetic.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee↗