No abstract

Aims One of the main causes of tibial revision surgery for total knee arthroplasty is aseptic loosening. Therefore, stable fixation between the tibial component and the cement, and between the tibial component and the bone, is essential. A factor that could influence the implant stability is the implant design, with its different variations. In an existing implant system, the tibial component was modified by adding cement pockets. The aim of this experimental in vitro study was to investigate whether additional cement pockets on the underside of the tibial component could improve implant stability. The relative motion between implant and bone, the maximum pull-out force, the tibial cement mantle, and a possible path from the bone marrow to the metal-cement interface were determined. Methods A tibial component with (group S: Attune S+) and without (group A: Attune) additional cement pockets was implanted in 15 fresh-frozen human leg pairs. The relative motion was determined under dynamic loading (extension-flexion 20° to 50°, load-level 1,200 to 2,100 N) with subsequent determination of the maximum pull-out force. In addition, the cement mantle was analyzed radiologically for possible defects, the tibia base cement adhesion, and preoperative bone mineral density (BMD). Results The BMD showed no statistically significant difference between both groups. Group A showed for all load levels significantly higher maximum relative motion compared to group S for 20° and 50° flexion. Group S improved the maximum failure load significantly compared to group A without additional cement pockets. Group S showed a significantly increased cement adhesion compared to group A. The cement penetration and cement mantle defect analysis showed no significant differences between both groups. Conclusion From a biomechanical point of view, the additional cement pockets of the component have improved the fixation performance of the implant. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(4):229–238.

Background The majority of knee endoprostheses are cemented. In an earlier study the effects of different cementing techniques on cement penetration were evaluated using a Sawbone model. In this study we used a human cadaver model to study the effect of different cementing techniques on relative motion between the implant and the femoral shaft component under dynamic loading. Methods Two different cementing techniques were tested in a group of 15 pairs of human fresh frozen legs. In one group a conventional cementation technique was used and, in another group, cementation was done using a pressurizing technique. Under dynamic loading that simulated real life conditions relative motion at the bone-implant interface were studied at 20 degrees and 50 degrees flexion. Results In both scenarios, the relative motion anterior was significantly increased by pressure application. Distally, it was the same with higher loads. No significant difference could be measured posteriorly at 20°. At 50° flexion, however, pressurization reduced the posterior relative motion significantly at each load level. Conclusion The use of the pressurizer does not improve the overall fixation compared to an adequate manual cement application. The change depends on the loading, flexion angle and varies in its proportion in between the interface zones.