The Attenborough total knee prosthesis. Results of 25 operations evaluated according to two different assessment systems.

The Attenborough stabilized gliding total knee prosthesis was used in cases of severely damaged, highly unstable or deformed knees. Twenty-five operated cases were followed for 1 1/2 years (range 12-28 months). The results were assessed according to two different knee evaluation systems: The Lotke & Ecker knee evaluation index and the knee function assessment chart (BOA chart) suggested by the British Orthopaedic Association. The overall results were excellent or good in 84 per cent (21/25) of the cases according to both systems, but when considering the improvement in individual clinical features the BOA chart results were more optimistic. Neither of the systems takes into consideration that the results are influenced by possible disorders in other joints. If only the function of the knees was being judged the results of the operations with the Attenborough prosthesis were excellent or good in 96 per cent (24/25) in this series. In general the results to be as good as those obtained in less disabled knees treated with compartmental prostheses. As more extensive surgery and bone resection is needed for insertion of the Attenborough prosthesis compared with compartmental prostheses, its use should be restricted to severely damaged knees which would otherwise be treated with a hinged prosthesis or an arthrodesis.