Revision of failed cementless total knee implants with cement

Between 1986 and 1996, 268 revision total knee replacements were performed. Revisions for aseptic loosening were reviewed prospectively. Sixty-three patients had implants revised for aseptic loosening. Thirty-six of the patients had revisions of cemented constructs, whereas 27 of the patients had revisions of cementless constructs. The average time before revision for the cemented group was 86 months. The average time to revision for the cementless group was only 43 months. Fifty-two percent of the patients in the cementless group had revision of their implants within 2 years of their index arthroplasty. The average pain free interval for the cementless group was only 11 months with 63% of the patients having no pain relief after their index arthroplasty. The average postoperative score for the cementless group was 88, whereas the average postoperative score for the cemented group was 82. Revision of failed cementless total knee implants with cement is a reliable procedure. Results are similar to those of cemented knees revised with cement.