Mobile vs fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasty performed by a single surgeon: a 4- to 6.5-year randomized, prospective, controlled, double-blinded study.

Abstract

The superiority between posterior-stabilized mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing designs still remains controversial. Fifty-six consecutive patients undergoing primary, unilateral knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to receive either a mobile-bearing (29 patients) or fixed-bearing (27 patients) prosthesis. We report the results at 4 to 6.5 years (mean, 5.5) follow-up. The Knee Society knee scores, pain scores, functional scores and Oxford knee scores were not statistically different (P > 0.05) between the two groups. Mean postoperative range-of-motion of mobile-bearing knees was significantly greater than that of fixed-bearing knees (127º versus 111º, P = 0.011). 72% of patients could sit cross legged, 48% could sit on the floor, and 17% could squat. Kaplan-Meier survival rate was 100%. No spin-out of mobile bearing was observed. The radiological analysis showed no osteolysis or implant loosening.