Longterm results of 38 knee prostheses.

: The authors report the results obtained with 38 knee prostheses reviewed from one to 9 years after insertion and discuss the advantages and limitations of this operation relative to different types of prosthesis. Although this operation has passed the "experimental" stage it has not yet reached a stage of reliability comparable with that of hip prostheses. The sliding prostheses yielded a higher percentage of positive results (81%) than the hinged prostheses (70.5%); the latter, however, are still indicated in selected cases. Knee replacement operations are justified, however, when the only valid alternative is arthrodesis.