Comparison of Fixed and Mobile-Bearing Total Knee Arthroplasty at a Mean Follow-up of 116 Months

Background: The superiority of mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty implants over fixed-bearing implants, or vice versa, is still debated.

Methods: A series of patients with similar clinical and radiographic characteristics were treated consecutively with 100 fixed-bearing followed by 100 rotating-platform implants. Patients underwent prospective clinical and radiographic evaluation.

Results: The mean duration of follow-up was 116 months (range, sixty-one to 144 months). Clinical, radiographic, and implant survival outcomes were compared. No significant differences between the mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing groups were found with respect to the clinical outcome or cumulative implant survival at the time of the latest follow-up. Three of the fixed-bearing implants and one of the rotating-platform implants had required revision surgery.

Conclusions: No differences between mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing designs were demonstrated at a mean of 116 months of follow-up.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.