O2615 IS POSTERIOR CRUCIATE RETAINING KNEE ARTHROPLASTY SAFE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term results of the posterior cruciate retaining knee arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis. Materials: 89 consecutive total knee replacements in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were performed. All knees had cemented components with retention of the posterior cruciate ligament followed in prospective fashion. Assessment was done by Knee Society clinical and radiographic evaluation systems. Survivorship analysis was done using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The average follow-up was 9.8 years. All living patients had a minimum of 10 years (10–20) follow up. The average age at surgery was 61 years. Revision was carried out in 4 knees in RA (4.4%). 89% were pain free and 93% were rated excellent as per the Knee Score. 90% of the knees were stable. The survivorship analysis showed the implant survival at 20 years was 94% (85 to 97%). Conclusions: With 94% survival rate and 93% excellent results in this long-term study conþrms the safe use of a posterior cruciate retaining knee arthroplasty in a patients with rheumatoid arthritis.