The Attenborough knee. A four- to ten-year review

The results of 132 Attenborough total knee replacements after a follow-up period of from four to 10 years are presented. Long-term relief of pain and improvement in stability and walking distance were maintained in over two-thirds. The cumulative survivorship with the prosthesis in situ, little or no pain and no radiological loosening was 65% at six years. Problems with wound healing were common, and there was a complication rate of 20% in primary replacements, including a deep-infection rate of 3.5%. Almost 20% of the prostheses needed revision because of aseptic loosening, and there is evidence of radiological and clinical loosening in a further 7.5%.