Skip to main content
Canadian Journal of Surgery logoLink to Canadian Journal of Surgery
. 1997 Aug;40(4):278–283.

Hinge total knee replacement revisited

Hugh U Cameron *,, Cungen Hu , Didier Vyamont
PMCID: PMC3949932  PMID: 9267296

Abstract

Objective

To determine if aseptic loosening is a major problem in hinge total knee replacement.

Design

A cohort study.

Setting

A university-affiliated institute, specializing in elective orthopedic surgery.

Patients

Fifty-eight patients, mainly those requiring revision, in whom the conditions were such that it was felt only a totally constrained implant was appropriate. In 7 patients the implant was press-fitted; in the remainder it was cemented. Five patients required fusion or revision, and 8 died less than 2 years after implantation, leaving 45 for review. Follow-up was 2 to 13 years.

Intervention

Total knee replacement with a Guepar II prosthesis.

Main outcome measures

Radiolucency determined by the Cameron system and clinical scoring using the Hospital for Special Surgery system.

Results

Of the cemented components, 91% of femoral stems were type IA (no lucency), 9% were type IB (partial lucency), with no type II or III lucency. Tibial lucency was 87% type IA and 13% type IB, with no type II or III lucency. Of the noncemented components, 58% of femoral components were type IA and 42% type IB. Tibial lucency was 71% type IA and 29% type IB. Lucency was mainly present in zones 1 and 2 adjacent to the knee. Clinical rating was 18% excellent, 20% good, 20% fair and 42% poor. Postoperative complications included infection (13%), aseptic loosening (7%), quadriceps lag (16%) and extensor mechanism problems (16%).

Conclusions

Aseptic loosening is an uncommon problem in hinge total knee replacement. The complication rate in cases of sufficient severity as to require a hinge replacement remains high. Current indications for a hinge prosthesis are anteroposterior instability with a very large flexion gap, complete absence of the collateral ligaments and complete absence of a functioning extensor mechanism.

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (4.9 MB).


Articles from Canadian Journal of Surgery are provided here courtesy of Canadian Medical Association

RESOURCES