This study reports the clinical results following knee replacement with
the variable-axis knee prosthesis. All patients have been followed for a
minimum of two years. The first consecutive fifty-two patients, comprising
a total of fifty-five knee replacements, were personally reviewed by an
independent evaluator. The results on a subjective basis consisted of 79
per cent good to excellent results, 15 per cent fair results, and 6 per
cent failures. Failures were related to infection or continued pain. Fair
results reflected some patellar discomfort or instability. There was no
detectable clinical loosening of the components in any patient. To date,
the design of the variable-axis prosthesis appears to offer promise in the
control of the complication of prosthetic loosening.