Conclusions

Abstract

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective treatment for severe arthrosis of the knee with predictable pain relief and longevity of the arthroplasty. However, late mechanical failure may occur, necessitating revision surgery, and normal range of motion and kinematics are not reliably achieved. Current developments in surgical technique, instrumentation, and implant design including computer-assisted navigation, minimally invasive surgery, use of more durable bearing surface materials, and kinematic implant designs, offer the potential to further improve the function and longevity of TKA. © 2005 Springer Medizin Verlag Heidelberg.