Primary total knee arthroplasty in the elderly.

In a retrospective study, the authors investigated the outcome of primary total knee arthroplasty in patients aged 75 years or older. There is an increased risk of perioperative mortality and medical morbidity, but not surgical morbidity. The results were equal to the younger control group in terms of patient satisfaction, pain relief, stability, range of motion, residual degree of flexion contracture, and extension lag. Mobility was less impressive in the elderly group; factors included were ability to walk, use of walking aids, gait, ability to get out of a chair, and ability to climb stairs.