The EUROP total knee prosthesis: a ten-year follow-up study of a posterior cruciate-retaining design.

INTRODUCTION

The success of total knee arthroplasty is measured by pain relief, functional recovery, and implant survival duration. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term clinical, functional and radiological results of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)-retaining fixed bearing EUROP implant.

HYPOTHESIS

The long-term results of EUROP implants are similar to those reported with comparable prostheses.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective, monocentric study of a series of 121 cemented EUROP total knee arthroplasties, implanted between 1994 and 1996 in 117 patients mean age 73. A clinical and radiological evaluation was performed at 10 years of follow-up according to the International Knee Society (IKS) score. Twenty-three patients died, 14 were lost to follow-up, 43 underwent clinical and radiological evaluation and 37 were questioned by telephone.

RESULTS

The preoperative IKS knee score was 31 points (0-60) and increased to 88 points (30-98) at final follow-up, IKS function increased from 40 (0-90) to 80 points (25-100). Radiolucencies were observed in 56% of the condyles and 60% of tibial plates. Ninety-three percent of these radiolucent lines were less than 1mm wide. Three patients underwent revision TKA at 32 months, eight and 11 years respectively. Global implant survival was 99% at five years, 97.8% at 10 years and 95.8% at 12 years.

DISCUSSION

The clinical and radiological results of the cruciate-retaining fixed bearing EUROP total knee arthroplasties, with three cases of revision arthroplasty at 12 years of follow-up are satisfactory and comparable to similar implants.