Mid-term survivorship results for a rotating-platform knee prosthesis

Interest in mobile-bearing knee prostheses is increasing in the US market. We studied results at 2 to 5 years with a mobile-bearing system that includes a cobalt-chrome tibial tray and femoral component with a polyethylene cruciate-retaining tibial component insert that allows rotation around a central axis and can be used with cruciate-retaining or posterior-stabilized femoral components. The inserts used in this study were cruciate retaining and did not include the posterior-stabilized design. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the function and safety of this prosthesis along with the lack of spinout, which is a major concern in the mobile-bearing knee. Four hundred thirty-five knees constituted the study cohort and underwent survivorship analysis and complication reporting. Routine clinic evaluations included pre- and postoperative radiographs and Knee Society knee and function scores at 6 and 12 weeks and every 2 years. The most recent follow-up data within 2 to 5 years was included for the study along with survey data. Flexion at most recent follow-up averaged 125°. Knee Society score at most recent visit averaged 88 of 100. Knee Society function score averaged 83 of 100. Radiographic results were available for 226 knees, with 97.3% assessed as normal and 6 with these issues: patella stress fracture (3), aseptic tibial loosening (1), patellar osteolysis (1), and patella aseptic loosening (1). In comparison with the fixed-bearing knee equivalent, this mobile-bearing knee demonstrated at least equivalent results in terms of survivorship, function, and patient satisfaction in the short- and mid-term.     

The kinematics of fixed- and mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty

The success of any total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is influenced by a complex interaction between component geometry and the surrounding soft tissues. The objective of this study was to investigate posterior femoral translation and tibial rotation in a single design posterior-stabilized TKA offering fixed- and mobile-bearing tibial components. Specifically, we examined whether mobile-bearing TKA restores normal knee translation and rotation better than fixed-bearing TKA design. Eleven human knee specimens retrieved postmortem were tested using a robotic system. The translation and rotation of the intact and reconstructed knees were compared. The data indicate that for all knees, posterior femoral translation occurs along the passive path and under muscle loading conditions. Furthermore, increasing flexion angle corresponded with increased internal tibial rotation. Femoral translation and tibial rotation for fixed- and mobile-bearing posterior-stabilized TKAs were similar despite component design variations. However, both arthroplasties only partially restored intact knee translation and rotation. The data presented here may serve as an aid in the development of a rationale for additional improvement in surgical techniques and prosthesis design, so that normal knee function may be restored.     

In vivo kinematics of high-flex mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty, with a new post-cam design, in deep knee bending motion

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo knee kinematics to assess the available functional motion of the characteristic mobile-bearing prosthesis design and to examine whether the artificial joint would work in vivo according to its design concept.

Methods

We studied 14 knees (11 patients) implanted with the Vanguard RP Hi-Flex prosthesis. This prosthesis has a highly original form of post-cam called a PS saddle design with high compatibility, and with a rotating plate mobile-bearing mechanism. The cylinder-type post-cam is designed to enable contact in early flexion ranges, and to prevent paradoxical anterior femoral component movement. Each patient performed weight-bearing deep knee bending under fluoroscopic surveillance. Motion between each component including the polyethylene insert was analyzed using the 2D/3D registration technique.

Results

The mean range of motion was 122.0°. The mean femoral component rotation for the tibial tray was 5.0°. No paradoxical anterior movement of the nearest point was confirmed between the femoral component and the tibial tray in the early flexion ranges. Initial contact of the post-cam was confirmed at a knee flexion angle of 33.8°. Subsequently, the wide contact of the post-cam was maintained until flexion reached 120° in all knees, but disengagement of the post-cam was observed in two knees when flexion was ≥130°.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrated that the prosthesis design generally works in vivo as intended by its design concept. The present kinematic data may provide useful information for improvement of high-flex type prostheses.     

全膝关节置换术的假体旋转不良的CT分析

目的应用CT技术测量全膝关节置换术股骨假体和胫骨假体旋转角度,探讨假体旋转性和髌股关节并发症之间的关系。方法以股骨髁上轴和胫骨结节为参考点,对股骨假体和胫骨假体的旋转角度进行测量,并比较了20例功能良好膝关节和30例产生髌股关节并发症的膝关节的假体旋转性。结果髌股关节并发症组的假体存在过度内旋,其内旋度数和值与髌股关节并发症的严重程度成正相关。轻度假体内旋(1°～4°)导致髌骨倾斜和轨迹外移;中度假体内旋(3°～8°)导致髌骨半脱位;重度假体内旋(7°～17°)导致早期的髌骨脱位和晚期的髌骨置换失败。功能良好组的假体外旋10°～0°。结论在机械轴线正常时,假体的内旋放置可能是导致髌股关节并发症的主要原因;利用CT扫描图像,行假体旋转度测量可用于术中以指导手术,术后也可以作为是否需要翻修的评价指标。     

Kinematic analysis of mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty using a 6-DOF knee simulator

Background  The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematics of the polyethylene insert in two designs of mobilebearing total knee arthroplasty, using a six-degrees-of-freedom knee simulator. It was consequently not clear whether the motion of the polyethylene bearing in mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty could be demonstrated during the gait cycle or more rapid movement. Methods  A mobile-bearing knee (Zimmer) and a low contact stress rotating-platform design (Depuy) were mounted on a simulator which was regulated by the kinematic data of gait. The simulating test was conducted under a static condition as well as under dynamic conditions of 0.5 Hz and 1.0 Hz. We recorded the motions of the implants with two charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras, and the positions of the insert were calculated. Results  In spite of the same relative motion between the femoral component and the tibial tray, the polyethylene insert showed unique relative motion according to the given condition. The motion of the insert during the dynamic conditions was considerably decreased in comparison to the static condition in both mobile-bearing designs. In addition, the insert showed a smaller amplitude and frequency of rotations under increasing speed in the low contact stress rotating-platform design. The low contact stress rotating-platform design showed a larger amplitude and frequency of rotations than the mobilebearing knee. Conclusions  Despite the mobility of the insert in the mobilebearing total knee arthroplasty, the motion of the insert was decreased during dynamic conditions because of the disruption of full contact between the femoral component and the polyethylene insert. Differences in the rotation between the mobile-bearing knee and the low contact stress rotatingplatform design were due to the fixed axis of the internalexternal rotation in the low contact stress rotating-platform design. The theoretical advantages for the mobile-bearing design over the fixed-bearing design were not demonstrated in this study.     

Early tibial tray failure of a Duracon knee with retrieval analysis

We report a case of early tibial tray fracture of a Duracon knee prosthesis. Aside from the clinical, radiographic, and gross analysis of the failed prosthesis, we also performed analysis on the retrieved polyethylene component and the fractured tibial baseplate. In the analyses, we noted significant femoral component malalignment, uneven tray cementation, and inherent metallurgical weakness. It appears that the high compressive load on the medial tray resulted in bending fatigue failure. To avoid this complication, it is important to restore the normal alignment of the knee joint and use a polyethylene insert of higher conformity, at least 6 mm thick.     

Biomechanical analysis of tibial tray fractures post total knee arthroplasty

The fracture of the tibial tray is a rare complication post total knee arthroplasty. We present the case of a 74-year-old lady who had pain in the left knee due to an anteromedial fracture of her metal tibial tray post total knee arthroplasty with a kinematic (Howmedica) prosthesis. There are 25 reported cases of fractures of the posterior-medial aspect of the tibial tray. This is the first case describing an anteromedial tibial tray fracture. We performed a retrieval analysis of the polyethylene component and the fractured tibial base plate and reviewed the literature to determine the predisposing factors contributing to tibial tray fractures. Tibial component malalignment, excessive polyethylene wear and subsequent bone lysis, inherent metallurgical weakness and certain design features of the tray have been identified as the possible contributing factors to failure in this case.     

In vivo polyethylene bearing mobility is maintained in posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty

In vivo knee kinematics, including polyethylene bearing mobility, were determined in a group of nine patients implanted with a posterior stabilized, mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty. Each patient, while under fluoroscopic surveillance, did a weightbearing deep knee bend and was analyzed using a 3-D computer model-fitting technique. Patients were evaluated at three and 15 months postoperatively. All nine patients had polyethylene bearing rotation relative to the tibial tray at both times, with the maximum amount of polyethylene bearing rotation at any flexion interval averaging 8.5 (range, 5.2-15.5) and 9.8 (range, 4.8-14.2) at 3 and 15 months, respectively. Minimal rotation of the polyethylene bearing relative to the femoral component was observed, averaging only 1.9 and 1.0 of rotation from full extension to maximum knee flexion at three and 15 months, respectively. This study determined that the polyethylene bearing is primarily rotating relative to the tibia rather than the femoral component. Therefore, as the femoral component axially rotates, the polyethylene bearing is rotating a similar magnitude in the same direction. This should result in reduced shear stresses on the superior aspect of the polyethylene bearing, lessening polyethylene wear.     

The TRAC PS mobile-bearing prosthesis: design rationale and in vivo 3-dimensional laxity

We present a posterior stabilized mobile-bearing prosthesis, TRAC PS, which has congruent contact from full extension to full flexion, allows for freedom of internal-external rotation, and has an automatic posterior shift in tibiofemoral contact on the tibia to maximize the quadriceps lever arm in flexion. TRAC PS has 2 radii of curvature in the sagittal plane, 1 for the distal femoral condyles and 1 for the posterior femoral condyles, as does the normal knee. The distal and posterior femoral condyles articulate congruently in the inner tracks or the outer tracks of the polyethylene bearing, respectively. Anterior or posterior sliding of the femoral condyles on the bearing or of the bearing on the tibial tray cannot occur, providing inherent anterior and posterior stability. Three-dimensional knee laxity testing was performed on 17 patients from 12 months to 25 months after total knee arthroplasty with the TRAC PS and on 18 healthy control subjects of similar ages. Normal ligament balancing and normal internal-external rotational laxity were achieved with the TRAC PS prosthesis. Anterior and posterior laxity in the patients with TRAC PS was significantly reduced compared with that of the control subjects.     

A kinematic comparison of fixed- and mobile-bearing knee replacements

Mobile-bearing posterior-stabilised knee replacements have been developed as an alternative to the standard fixed- and mobile-bearing designs. However, little is known about the in vivo kinematics of this new group of implants. We investigated 31 patients who had undergone a total knee replacement with a similar prosthetic design but with three different options: fixed-bearing posterior cruciate ligament-retaining, fixed-bearing posterior-stabilised and mobile-bearing posterior-stabilised. To do this we used a three-dimensional to two-dimensional model registration technique. Both the fixed- and mobile-bearing posterior-stabilised configurations used the same femoral component. We found that fixed-bearing posterior stabilised and mobile-bearing posterior-stabilised knee replacements demonstrated similar kinematic patterns, with consistent femoral roll-back during flexion. Mobile-bearing posterior-stabilised knee replacements demonstrated greater and more natural internal rotation of the tibia during flexion than fixed-bearing posterior-stabilised designs. Such rotation occurred at the interface between the insert and tibial tray for mobile-bearing posterior-stabilised designs. However, for fixed-bearing posterior-stabilised designs, rotation occurred at the proximal surface of the bearing. Posterior cruciate ligament-retaining knee replacements demonstrated paradoxical sliding forward of the femur. We conclude that mobile-bearing posterior-stabilised knee replacements reproduce internal rotation of the tibia more closely during flexion than fixed-bearing posterior-stabilised designs. Furthermore, mobile-bearing posterior-stabilised knee replacements demonstrate a unidirectional movement which occurs at the upper and lower sides of the mobile insert. The femur moves in an anteroposterior direction on the upper surface of the insert, whereas the movement at the lower surface is pure rotation. Such unidirectional movement may lead to less wear when compared with the multidirectional movement seen in fixed-bearing posterior-stabilised knee replacements, and should be associated with more evenly applied cam-post stresses.     

Long-term results of low contact stress mobile-bearing total knee replacements

Five hundred ninety-eight consecutive primary low contact stress total knee replacements were done in 502 patients between 1985 and 1990. Clinical review was available for 495 knees (406 patients), 228 knees with meniscal-bearing prostheses and 267 knees with rotating-platform prostheses. The average followup was 12 years (range, 10-15 years). The average postoperative knee and functional scores were 87 points and 75 points, respectively. The average postoperative range of motion was 110 degrees. Fifty-six knees (11%) required revision for excessive wear of the tibial insert (41), dislocation (10), patellar polyethylene breakage (one), component loosening (one patellar, one tibial), and infection (two). During revision, osteolysis (20 knees), patellar polyethylene failure (33), and femoral component fracture (one) were seen. The overall survivorship was 88.1% at 15 years using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The survival rate was 83% for the meniscal-bearing prostheses and 92.1% for the rotating-platform prostheses. The Low Contact Stress mobile-bearing knee prosthesis has no superiority over that of fixed-bearing knees, especially for the meniscal-bearing design in prevention of polyethylene failure or revision. Based on the results of this study, the use of the LCS meniscal-bearing prosthesis does not appear to be justified.     

Patellar polyethylene spinout after low-contact stress, high-congruity, mobile-bearing patellofemoral arthroplasty

A low-contact stress, high-congruity, mobile-bearing patellofemoral joint arthroplasty decreases the contact force in the patellofemoral joint, theoretically reducing patellar polyethylene wear and increasing implant longevity. This article describes the case of a 47-year-old obese woman who presented with pain and loss of extension after a low-contact stress, high-congruity, mobile-bearing patellofemoral joint arthroplasty. Radiographs revealed dislocation (ie, spinout) of the patellar polyethylene. Patellar polyethylene spinout is a rare complication of metal-backed, mobile-bearing patellar resurfacing. Theoretically, patellar polyethylene spinout in low-contact stress, high-congruity, mobile-bearing patellofemoral arthroplasty is related to implant design and the placement of the metal base plate. Ultimately, the articulation of low-contact stress, high-congruity, mobile-bearing patellofemoral arthroplasty may be too congruent to resist the forces of the patellofemoral joint, particularly in patients who are obese, and the patellar rotation allowed by this articulation may not be sufficient for all patients. Should patellar spinout occur, replacement of the polyethylene is not sufficient to correct the problem; hence, revision of the patellar and trochlear components is required because it remains unclear whether failure is secondary to patellar or trochlear design deficiencies.     

Fracture of the tibial tray after total knee arthroplasty

We report a case in which fracture of the metal tibial plate was thought to be caused by a combination of neutral anatomic rotation of the femoral component and an undersized tibial plate. This resulted in medial subsidence and baseplate fracture with loosening of the polyethylene and dislocation of the prosthesis.     

Mechanisms of failure of the femoral and tibial components in total knee arthroplasty

From 1974 to 1986, 1430 cemented primary total knee arthroplasties were available for analysis. These included 224 total condylar prostheses with a polyethylene tibial component, 289 posterior stabilized prostheses with a polyethylene tibial component, and 917 posterior stabilized prostheses with a metal-backed tibial component. There were 12 failures in the total condylar series including three infections (one early and two late), five loose tibial components, two loose femoral and tibial components, and two unstable arthroplasties. The posterior stabilized prosthesis with the polyethylene tibia demonstrated six failures including two loose tibial components, two loose femoral components, and one supracondylar femur fracture. The posterior stabilized prosthesis with the metal-backed tibial component was associated with seven failures including six infections (three early and three late) and one femoral loosening. No metal-backed tibial components have been revised for loosening. The overall failure rate in this series was 1.7% for all prostheses. The incidence of tibial loosening was 0.53% with an average time to failure of 4.7 years. The incidence of femoral loosening was 0.35% with an average time to failure of 2.0 years. Tibial loosening was related to error in technique: postoperative varus tibiofemoral alignment, varus tibial component position, and excessive tibial resection. The overall infection rate was 0.63% for all total knee arthroplasties, and all were secondary to gram-positive organisms. Presently, the posterior stabilized prosthesis with a metal-backed tibia is the authors' implant of choice. Technical error and infection are the major causes of failure.     

Mobile-bearing total knee prosthesis: a 5- to 9-year follow-up of the first 110 consecutive arthroplasties

This study regards the total articulating cementless knee. This is a mobile-bearing knee, the tibial component of which consists of 2 parts: a highly conforming polyethylene insert freely rotating on a metal tray. Our case study relating to the implant of the first 110 knees operated on consecutively from 1991 to 1995 is reported, with an average follow-up of 6.3 years (range, 5-9 years). The average preoperative Knee Society Score was 78 points, and the average postoperative score was 156 points. The complications specifically related to the prosthetic components and which required revision surgery were 4: 2 cases of instability, 1 aseptic loosening of the tibial tray, and 1 traumatic dislocation of the tibial insert. A further 3 patients underwent reoperation for causes not strictly related to the implant: 2 because of intractable patellar pain and 1 because of periprosthetic ossifications that limited flexion. All of the complications were observed in patients operated on during the first 3 years of our experience, thus suggesting a definite learning curve with this prosthesis. No evidence of progressive radiographic periprosthetic osteolysis was recorded, and no relevant polyethylene wear was observed over time. Kaplan-Meier survival curves show the probability of survival to be 93.7% with revision surgery for any reason as an endpoint, and 96.3% with revision surgery for a mechanical reason as an endpoint. Certainty that mobile-bearing total knees are able to assure a longer life of the implant than the conventional models would require an evaluation of results over 15 to 20 years. However, in the meantime, these good preliminary results at least justify continuing the use of this type of prosthesis, which still awaits confirmation of the, as-yet-theoretical, advantage compared with fixed-bearing total knees.     

Femoral component fracture due to osteolysis after cemented mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty

A 58-year-old man with osteoarthritis in the left knee underwent a total knee arthroplasty with a New Jersey anterior-posterior gliding low contact stress mobile-bearing implant. All femoral, tibial, and patellar components were implanted with bone cement. Pain developed at 43 months postsurgery, and plain radiography revealed a vertical crack in the femoral component and osteolysis at the medial femoral condyle. The femoral and tibial components were revised, and the bone defect at the medial femoral condyle was reconstructed using an allogeneic strut bone graft. Microscope examination identified polyethylene particles with foreign body granulomatous reaction, and scanning electron microscopy revealed fatigue failure of the femoral component. Osteolysis due to polyethylene particles can lead to fracture of the femoral component after cemented anterior-posterior gliding low contact stress mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty.     

老年性骨关节炎行人工膝关节置换术后 假体旋转对线的定量分析

目的根据不同解剖标志利用CT扫描定量测量人工膝关节置换术后股骨和胫骨假体的旋转对线。方法 2004年对21位合并膝内翻畸形(35个膝)老年性骨关节炎患者(平均年龄73.3岁,范围:60～81岁)行人工膝关节置换手术,术中采用后稳定型固定平台膝关节假体,以股骨后髁轴外旋截骨确定股骨假体旋转定位,综合参考胫骨平台最大覆盖率和胫骨后髁轴确定胫骨假体旋转定位。术后7年进行随访,内容包括病史采集、物理检查,KSS评分和功能评分,负重位膝关节正侧位X光片、髌骨轴位片以及膝关节CT扫描。在CT扫描图像上,根据股骨内外上髁轴(SEA)测量股骨假体旋转角度,分别根据股骨内外上髁轴和胫骨结节内侧1/3测量胫骨假体旋转角度,并以此测算假体的联合旋转角度和旋转不匹配程度。结果对35个膝关节随访7年结果显示,未出现感染、假体透亮带、髌骨脱位或半脱位、髌骨骨折、假体松动等,KSS临床评分平均91分,功能评分平均83分。股骨假体、胫骨假体旋转角度、联合假体旋转角度均呈正态分布;股骨假体平均旋转角度为(3.02±3.88)°;胫骨假体相对于胫骨结节内侧1/3明显处于内旋位(平均17°),相对于SEA旋转角度平均0°,参考两个标志测量的胫骨假体旋转角度之间有显著差异(P=0.000);相对于SEA确定的假体联合旋转角度平均(2.99±7.90)°,相对于胫骨结节内侧1/3确定的假体联合旋转角度平均(-2.64±8.39)°,参考两个参考标志测定假体联合旋转角度之间有显著差异(P=0.005),股骨和胫骨假体旋转不匹配最大程度在10°度左右。结论与胫骨结节内侧1/3做比较,股骨内外上髁轴(SEA)更适合作为CT定量测量人工膝关节置换术后股骨和胫骨假体旋转对线的标志;胫骨平台最大覆盖率和胫骨后髁轴可以作为胫骨假体旋转定位的参考轴线,但具有较大的个体差异性。     

In Vivo Kinematic Comparison Between Mobile-Bearing and Fixed-Bearing Total Knee Arthroplasty During Step-Up Activity

Mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) expects high conformity and low contact stress. It is designed to correct the rotational mismatch between femoral and tibial components. We examined the difference in weight-bearing knee kinematics in patients with mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing TKA performing step-up activities. We randomly assigned 40 knees (37 patients) to mobile-bearing TKA (n = 20) or fixed-bearing TKA (n = 20). Using fluoroscopic imaging we evaluated knee kinematics during step-up activity one year after surgery. The total extent of rotation was not different for the two TKAs. Due to the axial rotation of the polyethylene insert, patients with mobile-bearing TKA had a wider range of absolute axial rotation. The position of the medial and the lateral condyles was significantly more posterior in the fixed-bearing TKA. There were only minor kinematic differences between the two TKAs. The polyethylene insert in the mobile-bearing TKA moved as designed especially with respect to the self-alignment feature.     

The accuracy of computed tomography for determining femoral and tibial total knee arthroplasty component rotation

Patellofemoral complications, instability, and tibial polyethylene wear after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) resulting from malrotation of the tibial or femoral components (or both) may be difficult to diagnose based on physical examination and standard knee radiographs. The preoperative assessment of implant rotational alignment is critical in planning treatment because the femoral or tibial component (or both) may need to be revised if malpositioned. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) scan for determining rotational alignment of femoral and tibial components in TKA. TKA components were inserted in human cadaver specimens at neutral and 5 degrees of external or internal rotation. For each position, the amount of rotation, determined from digital photographs, was compared with CT scan. The correlation coefficient between these two values averaged 0.87, which was significant at P < .05. The CT scan protocol described in this study can be applied clinically to patients with patellofemoral complaints to confirm or rule out the presence of component malrotation.