Results

Abstract

The examples presented in the preceding chapter support our theory of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis of the knee. However, it remains to evaluate the outcome of the biomechanical approach to the problem statistically. It appeared that the long term results were predictable at the one-year follow-up. If they were good clinically and radiologically at one year, they usually remained good or even improved later. If they were poor at one year, they became worse later. Therefore, in order to collect a statistically significant series, we attempted to review all our patients with at least a one-year follow-up. This review of patients was also carried out in other Orthopaedic Departments and the overall results have been published (Maquet et al., 1982). However, such an analysis of knees operated on and reviewed by different surgeons using different techniques and perhaps basing their approach on different considerations, may be criticized for its lack of unity.