Total knee arthroplasty in neuropathic arthropathy.

We describe the results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) undertaken for severe, neurosyphilitic Charcot arthropathy in ten patients (19 knees). A cemented condylar, constrained prosthesis was implanted in all but two knees. The mean follow-up was 5.2 years (5 to 6). The mean knee score before operation was 36.5 points (30 to 42) which improved to 76 points (58 to 90) after operation as judged by the Hospital for Special Surgery score. At final follow-up three knees (16%) had aseptic loosening which required salvage by an arthrodesis, six (31%) were functioning poorly and ten (53%) were satisfactory. We conclude that although Charcot arthropathy is not an absolute contraindication to total knee replacement, there is a high incidence of serious complications.