Cementless porous-coated total knee arthroplasty: 10-year results in a consecutive series

We report the results of 114 AGC 2000 porous-coated, cementless total knee arthroplasties (TKA) performed consecutively in 102 patients during the period 1984-1986. After 10 years, 58 TKAs in 52 patients were evaluated with patient assessment, Hospital for Special Surgery knee score, weight-bearing radiographs done under fluoroscopic control, and survivorship analysis. All dropouts within the first 9 years were patients dying with a functioning TKA except 1 revision secondary to a supracondylar fracture after 8.5 years. Of the patients, 53 (92%) were satisfied or very satisfied with their TKA, and 55 (95%) of the knees were rated good or excellent. There was no pain in 53 knees, and the median knee flexion was 110 degrees. Six radiolucencies >1 mm were found beneath parts of the tibial component, and 5 radiolucencies were seen beneath the femoral component. None had progressed compared with the 5-year follow-up, and in all cases trabeculae could be seen reaching the prosthetic component. No migrations had occurred since the 5-year follow-up. No obvious joint space reduction was seen. Osteolysis presenting as an isolated cyst was found in 1 knee in the lateral tibial condyle and was not progressive. Two tibial components had been revised because of aseptic loosening and 1 because of septic loosening, all within the first 3 years. No femoral or patellar components were revised. The cumulative prosthesis survival rate after 10 to 11 years was 97%. When pain and radiographic loosening also were considered, the success rate was 87%. Cementless insertion of a nonmodular, porous-coated TKA resulted in a long-term durable bone-prosthesis interface. The flat-on-flat articulation did not result in catastrophic polyethylene wear or osteolysis within the first 10 years.