title: MEDIUM-TERM ASSESSMENT OF TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY WITH IMPLANT MADE IN BRAZIL.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed 47 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with implants manufactured in Brazil, with a mean follow-up of five years.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study at Santa Casa de Misericordia Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, from January 1993 to December 2002. The sample comprised 47 patients (44 females and three males) who underwent TKA, totaling 58 knees. The patients' ages ranged from 46 to 83 years. A diagnosis of osteoarthritis or rheumatic disease was confirmed in all the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this investigation, all the patients underwent cemented TKA with preservation of the posterior cruciate ligament. The length of follow-up ranged from 5 to 17 years. The functional assessment criterion used was the one of the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), and this yielded an average of 87 points after the operation. The radiographic criterion used was the Knee Society Total Knee Arthroplasty Roentgenographic Evaluation and Scoring System. We had three cases with a radiolucent line without implant loosening, which were asymptomatic from a clinical standpoint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The total knee arthroplasty procedures using an implant made in Brazil were performed by a trained and experienced team. To date, over the clinical follow-up on these patients with knee osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, the results have been seen to be satisfactory.
authors.affiliation: MSc and PhD in Medicine, Head of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Maurício
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Barretto
authors.affiliation: MSc and PhD in Medicine, Head of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malta
authors.affiliation: MSc and PhD in Medicine, Orthopedist in the Knee Group, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Santa Casa de Misericòrdia do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Pires
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: E Albuquerque
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist in the Knee Group, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Santa Casa de Misericòrdia do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel Pinho
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: de Assis
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist in the Knee Group, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Santa Casa de Misericòrdia do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: André Siqueira
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Campos
keywords: Arthroplasty; Knee; Knee Prosthesis; Retrospective Studies