Simultaneous bilateral versus unilateral total knee arthroplasty in treatment of knee osteoarthritis

Ye Chuan; Liu Ri-guang; Tang Jin; Li Jiang-wei; Zhang Tao; Ren Hou-xiang; Sun Qi; Wu Cheng; Zhao Bao-ping

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2014.35.002

Abstract：BACKGROUND:The safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement or selective unilateral total knee arthroplasty in patients with severe osteoarthritis of the knees are stil controversial. OBJECTIVE:To compare safety and clinical efficacy of patients with osteoarthritis knees after simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement or selective unilateral total knee replacement. METHODS:Total y 60 cases with severe osteoarthritis of the knees (90 knees) undergoing total knee replacement were divided into unilateral total knee replacement group (n=30, 30 knees), and the simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement group (n=30, 60 knees). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There was no significant difference in the incidence of other complications such as infection, mortality, pulmonary embolism in patients of both groups (P>0.05). The incidence of cardiovascular complications, postoperative blood loss and blood transfusion were higher in the bilateral knee group than in the unilateral knee group (P<0.05). During fol ow-up at 1 year after replacement, no significant differences in range of motion, muscle strength of quadriceps and hospital for special surgery knee score were detected in patients of both groups (P>0.05). However, Visual Analogue Scale scores were significantly lower in the bilateral knee group than in the unilateral group (P<0.05). These data indicated that the risk of cardiovascular complications was high in patients receiving bilateral total knee replacement. Patients with severe cardiovascular disease should avoid simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty.