Abstract

Aim: To investigate the early results of the cases treated with Total Knee Prosthesis (TKP) for stage 4 gonarthrosis. Methods: Betuueen the years from 1995 to 2001 TKP was performed to 96 patients. Two different TKP procedures were used; with (Genesis; n=60) and without (Protec; n=36) protecting the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The cases were evaluated according to functional and knee scoring system of Knee Society clinically and to rontgenographically in preoperative and postoperative period. SPSS 10.0 statistic programme was used for data analyses. Results: 78.7% (n=61) of the study group were women and 21.3% (n=17) were men. Mean age, duration of hospitalization and follow-up period of the patients were 66.9±6.1 years, 15.4±4.5 days and 42.1±17.3 months, respectively. At the final examination, range of motion was increased to 18.2±26.3 degrees. Preoperatively and postoperatively Knee Society 's Knee scores were 35.1±12.6 and 92.4±9.5; and functional scores were found 40.4±13.7 and 79.5±19.5, consequently. In roentgenographic examination mean values of alpha angle, beta angle, gama angle, epsilon angle and omega angle were measured: alpha angle, 95.3±3.4, beta angle 90.1 ±2.1, gama angle 0.8±1.6, epsilon angle 1.7±2.8 and omega angle 3.5 ±2.34 (0-10). The complications were found as fol lotus, 9.4% (n=9) deep vein thrombosis, 2.1% (n=2) hypoesthesis around knee, 1% (n=l) deep infection, 1% (n=l) aseptic loosening, 1% (n=l) osteolysis, 1% (n=l) superficial infection, 1% (n=l) dermatosis and 1% (n=l) patella injury. Conclusion: From the early results of our analysis, it can be concluded that TKP (with or without protecting the posterior cruciate ligament) is a succesful method in gonarthrosis treatment due to the high successful rate, minimal complication rate and releaving pain reliably and effectively, improving knee functions significantly, and improving the life comfort of the patient.