Comparison between mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing knees in bilateral total knee replacements

The purpose of this study was to compare mid-term results of mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing in bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Twenty-two patients underwent bilateral TKA with a mobile-bearing prosthesis (Rotaglide, Corin, UK) on one side and a fixed-bearing prosthesis (NexGen-CR, Zimmer, USA) on the other. There were 21 female patients, and in 18 patients, the diagnosis was rheumatoid arthritis. The average age was 59.6 (35–78) years. In all procedures, the posterior cruciate ligament was retained and patella re-surfaced. The average follow-up in the mobile-bearing group was 98 (79–107) months and 96 (79–107) months in the fixed-bearing group. At the final follow-up, the knee score was 91.8 points and 91.1 points, respectively, and the function score 65.5 points. The range of motion was similar in the two groups (1.1–106.9°; 0.4–106.9°). Five patients favoured the fixed-bearing prosthesis, but 16 found no difference. In patients with bilateral TKA, there was no difference in the short-term result between mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing prostheses.