ABSTRACT
The process of knee arthroplasty began its evolution in the 1960s. At that time, problems were early failures as a result of component loosening, infection, and metal synovitis. After modi—cations of design and implant materials, excellent long-term results were reported from late 1980s. Currently, predictable and sustainable pain relief and functional improvement are obtainable after total knee arthroplasty in more than 90% of patients for 10-15 years postoperatively [1]. The incidence of total knee arthroplasty varies between and within countries. More than 400,000 total knee arthroplasties are annually performed in the United States, and approximately 60,000 surgeries are done each year in Japan.
