Primary constrained condylar knee arthroplasty without stem extensions for the valgus knee.

UNLABELLED: Avoiding stem extensions in total knee arthroplasties may decrease operative time, prosthetic cost, and canal invasion at surgery. A constrained condylar knee implant without stem extensions also likely will be easier to revise and will eliminate the risk of end of stem pain. Our hypothesis was that a constrained condylar knee implant for primary severely deformed knees would show excellent midterm results with a low rate of aseptic loosening, even without diaphyseal-engaging stems. We retrospectively reviewed 70 consecutive primary constrained condylar knee implants without stem extensions from 1998 to 2001 in 61 patients with knees in 15 degrees valgus or greater. Forty-nine patients (55 knees) were followed up for 44.5 months (range, 2-6 years). Outcome was assessed using the Knee Society scoring system. Knee Society score and functional scores improved from 34 points and 40 points to 93 and 74 points, respectively. No radiographic loosening or wear was found. There were no peroneal nerve palsies, and no patients had flexion or medial instability. One patient was affected by chronic patellar dislocation. Constrained condylar knee implants in patients with severe valgus deformity resulted in pain relief and improved function, without substantial complications at midterm followup, without diaphyseal-engaging stem extensions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.