Joint registries suggest a downward trend in the use of uncemented Total Knee Replacements (TKR) since 2003, largely related to reports of early failures of uncemented tibial and patella components. Advancements in uncemented design such as trabecular metal may improve outcomes, but there is a scarcity of high-quality data from randomised trials. 319 patients <75 years of age were randomised to either cemented or uncemented TKR implanted using computer navigation. Patellae were resurfaced in all patients. Patient outcome scores, re-operations and radiographic analysis of radiolucent lines were compared. Two year follow up was available for 287 patients (144 cemented vs 143 uncemented). There was no difference in operative time between groups, 73.7 v 71.1 mins (p= 0.08). There were no statistical differences in outcome scores at 2 years, Oxford knee score 42.5 vs 41.8 (p=0.35), International Knee Society 84.6 vs 84.0 (p=0.76), Forgotten Joint Score 66.7 vs 66.4 (p=0.91). There were two revisions, both for infection one in each group (0.33%). 13 cemented and 8 uncemented knees underwent re-operation, the majority of these being manipulation under anaesthetic (85.7%), with no difference (8.3% vs 5.3%, 95% CI -2.81% to 8.89%, p = 0.31). No difference was found in radiographic analysis at 2 years, 1 lucent line was seen in the cemented group and 3 in the uncemented group (0.67% v 2.09%, 95%CI -4.1% to 1.24%, p = 0.29). We found no difference in clinical or radiographic outcomes between cemented and uncemented TKR including routine patella resurfacing at two years. Early results suggest there is no difference between cemented and uncemented TKR at 2 years with reference to survivorship, patient outcomes and radiological parameters

Introduction. A total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the standard of care treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Over the last decade, we have observed a change in TKA patient population to include younger patients. This cohort tends to be more active and thus places more stress on the implanted prothesis. Bone cement has historically been used to establish fixation between the implant and host bone, resulting in two interfaces where loosening may occur. Uncemented fixation methods provide a promising alternative to cemented fixation. While vulnerable during the early post-operative period, cementless implants may be better suited to long-term stability in younger patient cohorts. It is currently unknown whether the surgical technique used to implant the cementless prostheses impacts the longevity of the implant. Two different surgical techniques are commonly used by surgeons and may result in different load distribution across the joint, which will affect bone ingrowth. The overall objective of the study is to assess implant migration and in vivo kinematics following cementless TKA. Methods. Thirty-nine patients undergoing a primary unilateral TKA as a result of OA were recruited prior to surgery and randomized to a surgical technique based on surgeon referral. In the gap balancing surgical technique (GB) soft tissues releases are made to restore neutral limb alignment followed by bone cuts (resection) to balance the joint space in flexion and extension. In the measured resection surgical technique (MR) bone cuts are first made based on anatomical landmarks and soft tissue releases are subsequently conducted with implant components in-situ. Patients returned 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and 52 weeks following surgery for radiographic evaluation. Kinematics were assessed 52 weeks post-operatively. Results. No significant difference was observed between groups in maximum total point motion (MTPM) at any time point during the first post-operative year. MTPM of both the tibial and femoral component did not significantly change between the six month and one year follow up visits for both the GB (6 mths=0.67 ±0.34mm, 1 yr=0.65 ±0.52, p=0.71) and MR (6 mths= 0.79 ±0.53mm, 1 yr= 0.82 ±0.43mm, p=0.56) cohorts. MTPM for both components over the follow up period is displayed in Figure 1. No significant difference was observed in contact location or pattern on the medial condyle during deep flexion (Figure 2A). A significant difference (p=0.01) was observed, however, between surgical techniques in the lateral contact location at full extension (Figure 2B). No significant difference was observed in the magnitude of AP excursion for both the medial and lateral condyles within and between groups. Conclusion. Surgical technique did not impact the MTPM of an uncemented TKA design during the first post-operative year. By the six month post-operative period tibial and femoral MTPM plateaus indicating that osseointegration between the host bone and implanted components has occurred. Kinematic evaluation indicates contact locations anterior to the midline of the sagittal plane, paradoxical anterior translation, and a lateral pivot point, regardless of surgical technique

There is a report that higher failure rate in uncemented total knee replacement components due to loosening. However, uncemented fixation has been an attractive concept because of bone preservation and revision surgery, potential improved load transfer, and decreased surgical time. “Regenerex” is a porous titanium layer with excellent initial fixation, and the promise of providing favourable biological fixation. This is used with the Biomet Vanguard total knee replacement. 14 patients had undergone total knee replacement surgery comprising 11 men and three women with an average age of 63.07 years, and a body mass index of 30.33. Three of these patients required revision, because of tibial component loosening within 12 months of surgery. There were two men and one woman with an average age of 63.33 and BMI of 34.55. Clinically, patients developed pain and a gradual deformity as a result of a symmetrical collapse of the proximal tibial bony support surface. Histopathology on the removed specimens shows the development of fibre cartilaginous metaplasia with evidence of necrotic bone. This was similar in all patients. There was no foreign body giant cell reaction, and no evidence of infection. The appearance was suggested of osteonecrosis, occurring gradually. The incidence of frequency of this complication with this component in our experience is of concern, and the aim of this presentation is to determine whether this is a more widespread phenomenon

Uncemented Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is an alternative to cemented TKA and hybrid fixation. We present incidence of loosening of uncemented porus coated tibial trays (two to five years with a mean of 3.8 years) in our retrospective clinical and radiological follow up of 53 uncemented TKA in 40 patients. Between 2001 and 2007, 53 uncemented primary TKA were performed by two senior surgeons in 53 knees for 40 patients. This was for diagnosis of Osteoarthritis. Five patients underwent patellar resurfacing. Patients were evaluated at the six week mark, three months, one year and then yearly using Knee Society knee score. In addition, radiograph analysis was done to all patients during each visit and evaluated using Knee Society roentgenographic evaluation and scoring system. The follow-ups have been done by independent surgeons. End point of failure is defined as revision. There were 14 revisions (12 for aseptic loosening, none for infection and one for component malposition, one for instability) among 53 knees. We found that there is significant increase in rate of tibial component loosening (26%), which is very high compared to rate of loosening with other series. There is radiographic evidence of loosening in four femoral prosthesis but one required revision. Intraoperatively we noticed that there is very poor osseointegration into tibial components. All of them have been revised with cemented tibial component. With our experience we conclude that uncemented porus coated Tibial trays have higher rates of failures because of poor osseointegration. And we recommend that all tibial trays need to be cemented

Statement of purpose. Cement fixation of total knee replacement (TKR) is commonly cited as being the gold standard, with better long-term survival rates when compared to uncemented fixation so the authors set out to analyse the longterm survivorship without aseptic loosening in a series of 471 uncemented TKR. Methods. A consecutive single surgeon series of patients undergoing routine follow up after a hydroxyapatite coated, uncemented and cruciate retaining TKR performed from 1992 to 1995 were analysed. All patients were invited for clinical review and radiological assessment. Revision of the TKR for aseptic loosening was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included Knee Society Score (0–200), range of movement, secondary surgical interventions and the presence of polyethylene wear or osteolysis on plain radiography. Results. 471 TKRs were performed in 356 patients (115 bilateral). 432 TKRs were accounted for through follow up. 39 TKRs in 31 pts were lost to follow-up representing 8% who had a mean KSS of 176 at 10 yr f/u. Mean f/u time period was 16.4 yrs (range 15.1–18.5 yrs). Average age at f/u was 81 yrs. 11 TKR had been revised for aseptic loosening. 19 TKRs in 19 patients had had revision of femoral/tibial components for any reason. A further 7 TKRs had undergone polyethylene insert exchange leaving an overall revision rate of 9% or 91% survival without revision. Survivorship without aseptic loosening was 96% (95%CI of 91.9–98.1%) at up to 18 years. A competing risks analysis was undertaken in order to avoid overestimation of survivorship adjusted for the competing risk of death within the study group. This analysis estimated a cumulative risk of revision for aseptic loosening at 18 years of 4.5%. Mean KSS was 176 (SD 21.5). Mean range of movement was 113 degrees of flexion. Conclusion. Uncemented hydroxyapatite coated total knee replacement can achieve favourable long-term survivorship at least as good as that of cemented designs

Total knee replacement (TKR) is an established treatment for end stage joint disease of the knee. Trabecular metal is one of the design experiments seeking to improve the bone-implant interface and wear patterns in order to increase the longevity of primary joint replacements and reduce the revision burden. Uncemented implants retain bone stock, reduce third body wear, and require a shorter operative time. Although only 4% of knee replacements currently being implanted are uncemented TKRs, there has been considerable recent interest in uncemented designs with a hope of improving the survival time of primary implants. National Joint Registry data has been less favourable of uncemented designs thus far. We report our experience with these comparative implants and present our functional and radiological mid-term results. Trabecular metal is made of tantalum. It has an interconnecting 3-dimensional lattice structure which is 80% porous. It closely resembles the microstructural architecture of cancellous bone. Bone grows into the porous structure creating a strong bond between bone and implant. In this design, the tibial pegs are seated in a peripheral position, in denser cancellous bone when compared with a central peg. Tantalum offers an appropriate modulus of elasticity, reducing the likelihood of component lift-off and stress shielding. Over a 4.5 year period, between April 2007 and December 2011, 132 knees in 127 patients with a diagnosis of end stage osteoarthritis, underwent TKR at a single hospital (CMH), performed by a single surgeon (JH). All surgeries were performed with a thigh tourniquet, medial parapatellar approach, antibiotic and VTE prophylaxis, patellar resurfacing, and rapid recovery rehabilitation. 86 cemented TKRs in 78 patients (mean age 76 years), and 66 uncemented TKRs in 49 patients (mean age 68 years). All components were standard NexGen (Zimmer) implants. Follow-up was a mean of 40 months (range 6–87 months). We analysed the patient postoperative routine standing and recumbent anterior-posterior and lateral radiographs using the knee society TKA scoring system. All linear measurements were made using a PACS viewing system and analysed by 2 of the authors independently. There was no significant radiological lucent lines, and no single KSS > 4. Patients completed Oxford Knee Scores and Knee Society Scoring questionnaires to evaluate their functional outcomes. The mean OKS was 41, and KSS 89. In this period there were revisions in 3 cemented prostheses and 2 uncemented prostheses. 2 revisions were for infection, 2 for peri-prosthetic fracture following trauma, and 1 for unexplained pain. The uncemented TKR performs equally as well as its cemented counterpart in our experience, both clinically and radiologically, at mid-term follow-up of up to 7 years (mean 3.3 years)

The primary stability of an uncemented femoral total knee replacement component is provided by press-fit forces at the bone-implant interface. This press-fit is achieved by resecting the bone slightly larger than the inner dimensions of the implant, resulting in a so-called interference fit. Previous animal studies have shown that an adequate primary stability is required to minimize micromotions at the bone-implant interface to achieve bone-ingrowth, which provides the secondary (long-term) fixation. It is assumed that during implantation a combination of elastic and plastic deformation and abrasion of the bone will occur, but little is known about what happens at the bone-implant interface and how much interference fit eventually is achieved. Purpose of this study was therefore to assess the actual and effective interference fit and the amount of bone damage during implantation of an uncemented femoral knee component. In this study, five cadaveric distal femora were prepared and femoral knee components were implanted by an experienced surgeon. Micro-CT scans and conventional CT-scans were obtained pre- and post-implantation for geometrical measurements and to measure bone mineral density. In addition, the position of the implant with respect to the bone was determined by optical scanning of the reconstructions (Figure.1). By measuring the differences in surface geometry, assessments were made of the cutting error, the actual interference fit, the amount of bone damage, and the effective interference fit. Our analysis showed an average cutting error of 0.67± 0.17 mm, which pointed mostly towards bone under-resections. We found an average actual AP interference fit of 1.48± 0.27 mm, which was close to the nominal value of 1.5 mm. We observed combinations of bone damage and elastic deformation in all bone specimens (Figure. 2), which showed a trend to be related with bone density. Higher bone density tended to lead to lower bone damage and higher elastic deformation (Figure. 3). The results of the current study indicate different factors that interact while implanting an uncemented femoral knee component. This knowledge can be used to fine-tune design criteria of femoral components and obtain adequate primary stability for all patients in a more predictable way