[The hazards of knee joint arthrodesis in bilateral gonarthrosis in older patients]

The effects of combined arthrodesis-prosthesis treatment in cases of bilateral osteoarthritis of the knee were studied. Using footprint and film analyses the authors illustrate the fact that the knee joint with the prosthesis is used to support body weight, and not the ankylosed joint. The resulting unsteadiness of gait, impaired quality of life and the limitation of surgical methods of redress on the contralateral knee joint are shown to be consequences of arthrodesis of the knee joint in patients of advanced age.