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.