Total knee arthroplasty: postoperative radiologic findings

The first generation of total knee arthroplasties had unacceptably high failure rates due to prosthetic design problems. The current generation, known generically as total condylar arthroplasties, closely duplicates the normal anatomy, motion, and stability of the knee. They combine adequate flexion with 15-20 degrees of rotation and 5-10 degrees of medial-lateral motion. These knees have a 90% success rate over 10 years, whether cemented or uncemented [1]. This essay is designed to describe the normal imaging appearance and radiographic findings in complications of these prostheses.