Sheehan total knee arthroplasty was carried out in 405 knees at two centres. The patients were followed up from two to eleven years. The clinical results were assessed, the complications documented and the influence of specific factors on the result was evaluated. The principal complications arose from the patella and the femorotibial articulation. The low rate of loosening and the achievement of satisfactory alignment lead the authors to support the concept of a long stem.