The EUROP total knee prosthesis: a ten-year follow-up study of a posterior cruciate-retaining design

Abstract

Introduction: The success of total knee arthroplasty is measured by pain relief, functional recovery, and implant survival duration. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term clinical, functional and radiological results of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)-retaining fixed bearing EUROP implant.

Hypothesis: The long-term results of EUROP implants are similar to those reported with comparable prostheses.

Patients and methods: We performed a prospective, monocentric study of a series of 121 cemented EUROP total knee arthroplasties, implanted between 1994 and 1996 in 117 patients mean age 73. A clinical and radiological evaluation was performed at 10 years of follow-up according to the International Knee Society (IKS) score. Twenty-three patients died, 14 were lost to follow-up, 43 underwent clinical and radiological evaluation and 37 were questioned by telephone.

Results: The preoperative IKS knee score was 31 points (0-60) and increased to 88 points (30-98) at final follow-up, IKS function increased from 40 (0-90) to 80 points (25-100). Radiolucencies were observed in 56% of the condyles and 60% of tibial plates. Ninety-three percent of these radiolucent lines were less than 1mm wide. Three patients underwent revision TKA at 32 months, eight and 11 years respectively. Global implant survival was 99% at five years, 97.8% at 10 years and 95.8% at 12 years.

Discussion: The clinical and radiological results of the cruciate-retaining fixed bearing EUROP total knee arthroplasties, with three cases of revision arthroplasty at 12 years of follow-up are satisfactory and comparable to similar implants.