Although the use of stems in revision total knee arthroplasty (RTKA) enhances survival by improving the stability of implant, questions as to the optimal fixation method as well as the vertical extent of the cement, remain unanswered. This study aimed 1) to determine the correlation between the vertical extent of cement and implant loosening; and 2) to determine the minimum cementing extent for a stable implant in revision TKA with a hybrid technique. We retrospectively analyzed 109 stemmed RTKAs with average follow-up of 63 months. In each case, a single varus-valgus constrained implant was used and fixed with a hybrid technique. During surgery, stem was partially covered with cement beyond stem-implant junction. Stability of implant was evaluated according to the modified Knee Society Radiographic Scoring System. Cementing extent was defined as length from implant base to the end of the radiopaque line around the stem. The correlation between the vertical cementing extent and implant stability was analyzed, and the minimal vertical cementing extent for a stable implant was evaluated with a scatter plot.Purpose
Materials and Methods
