TITLE:
Preliminary Results of Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Littoral of Cameroon, Sub-Saharan Africa
AUTHORS:
Olivier Kopong Fola, Martin Sopjio Tsemzang, Dominique Tamchom Djomo, Frank Blaise Djoukeng, Forbang Ako, Marcelin Ngowe Ngowe
KEYWORDS:
Total Knee Arthroplasty, Preliminary Experience, Cameroon, Sub-Saharan Africa
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.16 No.10,
October
30,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: The goal of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the restoration of normal knee joint function. Very few studies have been carried out on TKA in sub-Saharan Africa, despite increasing demand. We report preliminary experience with TKA in this context. Methods: We carried out a prospective study from January 2015 to December 2024 in one specialized private hospital in Douala, Cameroon. Patients who underwent total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) were registered in a predefined computerized database containing data on demographics, presenting symptoms, past medical history, radiological findings, preoperative evaluation, operative procedure, postoperative morbidity, and follow-up. Results: We studied the records of 41 TKAs performed on 32 patients (10 males and 22 females; mean age, 64 years). All of our patients had primary osteoarthritis (OA). Lequesne’s index of severity for OA was on average 14. Preoperative HKA angle ranged from 18˚ varus to −17˚ valgus. According to classifications, Kellgren and Lawrence’s grade 3 (63.4%), AHLBÄCK grade IV (53.1%), and IWANO stage III (62.5%) were mostly found. TKA was performed bilaterally in 9 patients (28.1%). The Knee Society Score was on average 45/100 preoperatively and 80/100 postoperatively. There were no postoperative complications except for one sudden death on postoperative day 7. The mechanical axis of the limbs was corrected in 100%. Conclusion: When well protocoled, total knee arthroplasty can be performed with good results, even in under-medicalized settings.