Background:

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and radiological evolution of the total knee revision arthroplasty with cemented stems in patients over 75 years.

Material and methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed in all the subjects who underwent revision of total knee arthroplasty with cemented stems between 2008 and 2014 in our center. Twenty-seven individuals over 75 years met the inclusion criteria. We assessed the Knee Society Score and range of motion for clinical outcome. We evaluated the implant stability with radiographs through radiolucent lines according to the modified radiological scale of the Knee Society; we registered the complications and prosthetic survival.

Results:

With an average age of our participants of 82.6 ± 4.4 years and a follow-up of 43 ± 14.4 months, we did not find any mechanical failure of the components. The functional average score was 115 ± 32 in the total KSS, of which 77 ± 17.5 points were in the KSS knee and 42 ± 24 in the KSS function. The average range of motion was 98o ± 17. Radiologically, 18 patients presented radiolucent lines, but only three needed follow-up using the modified Knee Society radiographic scoring system.

Conclusions:

The results revealed that cemented stems are a good method for fixation in the revision of total knee arthroplasty in people over 75 years. We observed acceptable medium-term clinical results with a low risk of radiological failure, despite the high number of radiolucencies.