A review of 100 consecutive Richard's total knee replacements

One hundred consecutive Richard's Maximum Contact (RMC) knee replacements were performed in Belfast between 1978 and 1982. Most of the 100 knees (86 patients) involved had been in severe pain, had marked stiffness or gross knee deformity, or were chairbound because of the knee. They were reviewed between five and eight and a half years (mean five years and eleven months) after operation. Thirteen patients (13 knees) died before review leaving eighty seven knees in 73 patients available for study. Using a modification of the British Orthopaedic Association knee function assessment chart, 26 knees (30%) were graded as excellent, 22 (25%) as good, 19 (22%) as fair and nine (10%) as poor. There were five implant failures, four the result of deep infection, one due to loosening. Six patients were chairbound at review and were also graded as failures. These results support the view that total knee replacement approaches the predictability and success of arthroplasty of the hip.