THE STRUCTURAL ALLOGRAFT COMPOSITE IN REVISION TKA

Abstract

Bone loss options in revision total knee replacement include prevention (earlier revision before extensive osteolysis, tedious prosthesis removal), prosthetic substitution, and bone grafting. Massive bone loss options include arthrodesis, custom total knee replacement, amputation, or revision with structural allograft-prosthesis composites. Advantages of structural allografts include their biologic potential, versatility (shape to fit host defects), relative cost effectiveness, potential for bone stock restoration, and the potential for ligamentous reattachment. Potential disadvantages include the risk of disease transmission and graft nonunion, malunion, collapse, or resorption. Extensive preoperative planning is required to rule out infection as well as properly select both the type and size of allograft and prosthetic implant. Fresh frozen allograft specimens are most commonly selected due to superior strength. Implant designs with diaphyseal-engaging stems and increased prosthetic constraint are often required. Extensive surgical exposure is often needed including proximal quadricepsplasty or tibial tubercle osteotomy in some cases. Both the host site and allograft require meticulous preparation both to maximise surface contact between host and allograft as well as mechanical interlock of the allograft with the host. Allograft fixation must be rigid to allow for incorporation. Diaphyseal-engaging stems, screws, and/or plates are often required to obtain this. The favoured method of fixation is cementing the prosthesis to the allograft with the addition of diaphyseal- engaging stems into the host medullary canal. Equivalent results have been obtained with either cemented or press-fit stems. Ligamentous reattachment to the allograft is more successful when done via a bone block technique. Wound closure difficulties may be encountered, particularly in the tibial region. Relaxing incision techniques as well as rotational muscle flaps are occasionally necessary to obtain soft tissue closure without excessive tension. Short-term results have shown union rates at greater than 90% when rigid fixation is obtained. In the author’s series of 32 cases, 86% good to excellent results were obtained at an average follow- up period of 50 months. More common complications include instability and graft collapse. Use of more constrained prostheses with long intramedullary stems will lessen these complications.