Abstract
Introduction: Aseptic loosening of cemented total knee arthroplasties is still an unsolved problem. In this regard the adhesion strength of the metal-bone cement interface is of major interest.
Material und Methods: Cemented tibial components coated with a silica/silane interlayer system (n=8) were dynamically loaded within a knee-simulator (DIN ISO 14243). After loading, the components were cut by “high pressure water jet technique” (Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, Aachen, Germany) into 10 slices (thickness 5 mm each) parallel to the shaft axis according to a standardised protocol. To evaluate the metal-bone cement interface with regard to gaps and cement failure, the tibial slices were analysed by light and fluorescent microscopy. These data were matched with uncoated components (n=8).
Results: The coated tibial components yielded a significant reduction of gaps in the metal-bone cement interface (p < 0.05) as well as a highly significant reduction of cement mantle failure (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: With the help of the silica/silane coating, gaps in the metal-bone cement interface with consecutive early cement mantle failure due to mechanical overstressing can be significantly reduced.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ms Larissa Welti, Scientific Secretary, EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH-8005 Zürich, Switzerland
