REDUCED FRACTURE LOADS FOR PERIPROSTHETIC TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES IN CEMENTLESS VERSUS CEMENTED UNICOMPARTMENTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Abstract

Periprosthetic tibial plateau fractures (PTPF) represent a rare but serious complication in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Although excellent long-term results have been reported with cemented UKA, surgeons continue to be interested in cementless fixation. The aim of the study was to compare fracture loads of cementless and cemented UKA.

Tibial components of the Oxford UKA were implanted in six paired fresh-frozen tibiae. In one set surgery was performed with cement fixation and in the other cementless components were implanted. Loads were then applied under standardised conditions to fracture the specimens.

Mean loads of 3.6 (0.7–6.9) kN led to fractures in the cemented group, whereas the tibiae fractured in the cementless group with a mean load of 1.9 (0.2–4.3) kN (p< 0.05).

The loading capacity in tibiae with cementless components is significantly less compared to cemented fixation. Our results suggest that, patients with poor bone quality who are treated with a cementless UKA are at higher risk for periprosthetic fractures.