Search

Background Previous studies have evaluated the initial stability of uncemented tibial components in revision total knee replacement (rTKR) in the presence of an Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) Type II tibial defect. This study sought to evaluate similar metrics in the severe Type III (AORI TIII) defects with combined uncemented stem and sleeve fixation, specifically, the effect of varying the stem’s length and tibial canal engagement upon stability and bone strain. Method Finite element models generated from the CT scans of 4 tibias with Type III defects were used to investigate the primary stability, in terms of the bone–implant composite peak micromotion (CPM) and microstrains (CPS), achieved after virtual implantations with and without stems. Results A stemless rTKR had increased metaphyseal CPM and CPS compared to all stemmed implants. Significant area of the bone supporting the stemless rTKR had CPS greater than bone yield (7000 μe). Short engaging stems (≤150 mm construct length), could not achieve reliable engagement in the diaphysis (canal fill ≤ 50%), leading to insufficient reduction of CPS (≥5000 μe). Longer engaging stems (170–220 mm construct length), were able to reliably engage the diaphysis (fill ratio ≥ 75%) resulting in CPS ≤ 5000 μe. Although, non-engaging stems resulted in increased CPM and CPS compared to engaging stems, long non-engaging stems (170–220 mm construct) appeared to provide additional stability to the rTKR compared to stemless rTKR. Conclusion The results indicate a likely correlation between uncemented stem engagement and metaphyseal CPS in Type III defects. Excessive strain within the supporting metaphyseal bone is likely to lead to rTKR migration and loosening.

Traditionally, diaphyseal stems have been utilized to augment the stability of revision total knee replacement (rTKR) implants. More recently metaphyseal augments, such as sleeves, have been introduced to further augment component fixation. The effect of augments such as stems and sleeves have on the primary stability of a rTKR implant is poorly understood, however it has important implications on the complexity, costs and survivorship of the procedure. Finite element analysis was used to investigate the primary stability and strain distribution of various size stems and sleeves used in conjunction with a cementless revision tibial tray. The model was built from computer tomography images of a single healthy tibia obtained from an 81-year-old patient to which an Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) IIA defect was virtually added. The influences of varying body mass index (BMI) and bone modulus were also investigated. Stemless sleeves were found to provided adequate primary implant stability (average implant micro-motion

Metaphyseal augments, such as sleeves, have been introduced to augment the fixation of revision total knee replacement (rTKR) components, and can be used with or without a stem. The effect of sleeve size in combination with stems on the primary stability and load transfer of a rTKR implant in AORI type IIB defects where the defect involves both condyles are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the primary stability of revision tibial tray augmented with a sleeve in an AORI type IIB defect which involves both condyles with loss of cortical and cancellous bone. Finite element models were generated from computed tomography (CT) scans of nine individuals. All the bones used in the study had an AORI type IIB defect. The cohort included eight females (mean weight: 64 kg, height: 1.6 m). Material properties were sampled from CT data and assigned to the FE model. Joint contact forces for level gait, stair descent, and squat were applied. Stemless sleeved implants under various loading conditions were shown to have adequate primary stability in all AORI type IIB defects investigated. Adding a stem only marginally improved the primary stability of the implant but reduced the strain in the metaphysis compared to stemless implants. Once good initial mechanical stability was established with a sleeve, there was no benefit, in terms of primary stability or bone strains, from increasing sleeve size. This study suggests that metaphyseal sleeves, without a stem, can provide the required primary stability required by a rTKR tibial implant, to reconstruct an AORI type IIB defect. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res.

Extending the service life of total joint replacements by improving the wear resistance of UHMWPE remains a priority that is driven by the demands of a more active patient [1]. Extensive experimental testing has shown that wear rates depend on the details of the wear path: Unidirectional paths produce minimal wear while those with direction change produce high wear [2-4]. This implies that a linear wear path that undergoes a sudden change in direction will generate a high wear rate immediately following that direction change and then will transition to a near zero wear rate with continued sliding. To the authors’ knowledge, this variation in wear rate with sliding distance after a change in sliding direction has not been explored experimentally. The goal of this study was to investigate the incremental wear as the sliding distance is increased between step-changes in sliding direction. We hypothesized that small increases in sliding distance after a direction change would produce additional wear while no additional wear would be produced at longer sliding distances sufficient to reestablish ‘unidirectional’ sliding.

Purpose To understand interactions between total knee arthroplasty tibial base design attributes, variations in tibial morphology, and the resulting tibial coverage and rotational alignment. Methods Tibial anthropometric measurements, including aspect ratio (medial–lateral width/anterior–posterior length) and tibial asymmetry, were taken for 14,791 total knee arthroplasty patients and compared with the ability of four different commercial tibial base designs to cover the resected plateau. The anthropometric measurements were also compared with the resulting tibial base rotation, which occurred when rotating the base to maximize coverage. Results All four tibial base designs resulted in similar coverage ranging from 80.2 (4.7) % to 83.8 (4.6) %. Mean tibial base rotation when placed to maximize coverage ranged from 3.7 (4.4)° (internal) to 3.8 (4.5)° (external) relative to the medial third of the tibial tubercle. More asymmetric tibiae and tibiae with a lower aspect ratios resulted in increased internal tibial base rotation. Conclusions The four tibial base designs assessed provided similar levels of tibial bone coverage across the patient population, despite different design features. Rotating the tibial base to maximize coverage did not significantly increase the tibial coverage, but induced variability in tibial base alignment. Certain tibial anthropometrics may predispose particular patients to internal tibial base mal-rotation.