We studied the results of 304 posterior stabilized condylar knee
arthroplasties, performed over a two and a half-year period, to compare
unilateral, bilateral one-stage, and bilateral staged arthroplasty. The
minimum length of clinical follow-up was two years. Using The Hospital for
Special Surgery rating system, we found the clinical results to be
identical for all three groups. The medical complications were similar in
each group except that there was a higher incidence of thromboembolism and
pulmonary embolism, as seen venographically, in the patients with staged
procedures. We concluded that one-stage bilateral knee arthroplasty is
preferable in a patient who requires replacement for severely arthritic
knees.