SURVIVAL OF THE TOWNLEY KNEE - 360 CASES WITH 8 (0.1-15) YEARS FOLLOW-UP

We evaluated 360 Townley arthroplasties in 167 OA and in 193 RA knees, performed between 1978-1986. 35 revisions were performed during the follow-up time. The main reasons for revision were aseptic loosening (18 knees), instability (6 knees), and infection (5 knees). The durability of different prosthesis components and of different tibial trays in relation to loosening were analyzed separately. The probability of the prosthesis remaining in situ was 94 percent after 5 years and 89 percent after 10 years. The success rate at 10 years was not significantly higher in arthrosis (94 percent) than in rheumatoid arthritis (85 percent). The other patient-related factors, age, sex, weight, did not influence the results. Comparing the different prosthesis components and the different designs of the tibial tray, we found no differences in success rates.