Instability, an unforeseen diagnosis of the Legion™ hinge knee system

Instability is an infrequently encountered diagnosis in rotating hinge knee (rHK) implants. With the introduction of a new rHK implant, we encountered multiple patients who complained of instability. This article presents its prevalence while describing our diagnostic and treatment algorithms.

A retrospective analysis of a cohort of all consecutive patients treated with the Legion™ Hinge Knee System (Smith&Nephew, Memphis, Tennessee) as primary or revision procedure between July 2014 and December 2018 was performed. All patients reporting a sense of instability or having recurrent joint effusion after activity were suspected of experiencing instability. Stress X-rays were performed and brace treatment was started. In patients with insufficient effect of brace treatment, a liner exchange to a thicker liner was performed. Prevalence of instability and the effect of treatment was analysed descriptively.

In total, six patients were categorized as patients having instability problems (prevalence 3.5%; male:female ratio 5:1; median age 69.5 years; all revision procedures). Indication for revision to the Legion rHK implant was infection (three), instability (two) and aseptic loosening (one). In two patients, a prior rHK implant was revised. All patients showed tilting beyond the tolerance on stress X-ray examination. Brace treatment was adequate in three patients; in the other three patients a liner exchange was performed, two of which were satisfied.

Instability is an infrequently encountered diagnosis in rHK implants. The design of the Legion rHK implant seems prone to this problem with a prevalence of 3.5%. If brace treatment is insufficient a liner exchange might be considered.