Total knee arthroplasty in patients 55 years old or younger. 10- to 17-year results.

Seventy-four consecutive total knee arthroplasties in 54 patients who were 55 years of age or younger (average age 43 years) were reviewed. All patients had a minimum followup of 10 years with an average followup of 13 years (range, 10-17 years). No patients died or were lost to followup. The preoperative diagnosis was rheumatoid arthritis in 47, gonarthrosis in 12, posttraumatic arthritis in six, osteonecrosis in three, hemophilia in two, and one patient each with pigmented villonodular synovitis, tuberculosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and achondroplasia. The knee score improved from an average of 36 points (range, 10-80 points) preoperatively to 84 points (range, 37-100 points) at latest followup. The functional score improved from 45 points (range, 0-100 points) to 60 points (range, 0-100 points) at latest followup. Two patients had their implants revised: one at 3 years because of ligamentous laxity and one at 13 years because of aseptic loosening of the tibial component. There were no deep infections. There were no radiographically loose implants at latest followup. The implant survival to revision at 10 years was estimated at 99% (confidence limit, 96%-100%). The implant survival to revision at 15 years was estimated at 95% confidence limit, 88%-100%). Cemented total knee arthroplasty in the young patient is a reliable procedure and has excellent results at 13-year followup with an estimated survivorship of 99% at 10 years.