International multi-centre survivorship analysis of mobile bearing total knee arthroplasty

We retrospectively reviewed the experience of a large international multi-centre study of primary total knee arthroplasty with mobile bearing design and modifications of the tibial component to allow for bicruciate preservation, posterior cruciate retention, or sacrifice. Twenty-seven surgeons performed 4,743 total knee replacements between 1981 and 1997. Implants inserted were 324 that retained both cruciate ligaments, 2,165 that retained the posterior cruciate, and 2,254 that sacrificed both cruciates. The patella was resurfaced in 2,838 and unresurfaced in 1,905. With failure defined as revision or reoperation for any reason, the overall survivorship was 79% at 16 years' follow-up. Revision occurred in 259 (5.4%) knees out of the entire cohort. The risk adjusted rates of failure were higher in females, younger patients, osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and in patients who had a meniscal bearing prosthesis or patellar resurfacing. The most common cause of revision was bearing-related issues including chronic instability, bearing subluxation, bearing dislocation, or bearing wear in 2.3%.