Total Knee Arthroplasty for Posttraumatic Arthritis : Comparison of the Results with Primary Degenerative Osteoarthritic Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the results of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between the degenerative osteoarthritic patients and the posttraumatic arthritic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 38 cases with posttraumatic arthritis (group A) and 40 cases with degnerative osteoarthritis (group B) had a total knee arthroplasty between April 1995 and May 2002. The knee score, functional score, activity level and radiologic analyses were performed. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in the knee score, functional score, activity level and radiological findings between the two groups. The range of motion arcs were reduced in the posttraumatic arthritic patients. There is a higher complication rate in the post-traumatic arthritic patients (36%) when compared with the degenerative osteoarthritic patients (15%) after TKA . CONCLUSION: In group A showed a higher complication rate and reduced range of motion arcs. However, in terms of our results, we considered that a total knee arthroplasty is an useful treatment for the posttraumatic arthritis in spite of the technical difficulties.