Polyethylene wear and osteolysis remain a concern with the use of modular, fixed bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A variety of highly cross-linked polyethylenes (XLPs) have been introduced to address this problem, but there are few data on the results and complications of this polyethylene in posterior-stabilized knee prosthesis. We have previously reported an interim analysis of a study comparing polyethylene tibial liners. This is a prospective randomized study of one modular posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty by a single surgeon. 265 patients (329 knees) were randomized to receive a standard compression molded liner (SP) or a highly cross-linked (6.5 CGy electron-beam irradiated and remelted) polyethylene liner (XLP). Patients were evaluated clinically using the classic Knee Society scores, LEAS score, presence of a knee effusion, and by standard radiographs for radiolucent lines and osteolytic lesions. The analysis was performed at a mean of 6 years (range, 2–11 years).Introduction
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