Experience with the Melbourne knee prosthesis, based on the first 35 operations over a three-year period.

The Melbourne knee prosthesis is an improved hinge prosthesis. Its component parts are constructed of a chrome cobalt alloy and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The hinge has a range of flexion of 120 degrees, and while flexed, can rotate 15 degrees in either direction. Over the past three years a total of 45 prostheses have been inserted in patients with chronic degenerative arthritis of the knee joints. This survey covers the first 35 operations. The most gratifying result has been a dramatic relief of pain in 87.5% of patients. There have been few complications, and no prosthesis has had to be removed. There have been no mechanical failures of the prosthesis itself.