Role of total knee replacement in failed knee fusions

The author describes his technique and the results of total knee replacement in four patients who already had fused knees. In two, the patella was present so a semiconstrained prosthesis was used, but in the other two a stabilized knee prosthesis was used because the patella was absent. In the first case, lack of experience with the technique led to failure of the prosthesis and revision was necessary, but in subsequent cases the patients have done well. Quadriceps control was not a problem. Range of movement improved slowly over the first year. The author concludes that disassembly of knee fusion is possible and gives acceptable results.