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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Published in:

01-08-2012 | Knee

Tibial component designs in primary total knee arthroplasty: should we reconsider all-polyethylene component?

Authors: Tao Cheng, Xiaoyun Pan, Tao Liu, Xianlong Zhang

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 8/2012

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the frequency with which total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) are performed, whether they are best performed using all-polyethylene or metal-backed tibial components remains a controversy. The aim of the present study was to determine the advantages and disadvantages of metal-backed compared with all-polyethylene tibial components during TKAs through an evaluation of current literature.

Methods

A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized and non-randomized comparative studies comparing metal-backed with all-polyethylene tibial components during TKAs were performed. The focus of the analysis was on the outcomes of knee score, range of motion (ROM), quality of life, implant alignment, tibial migration, radiolucent line, complication, reoperation, and implant survivorship.

Results

A total of 10 randomized/quasi-randomized controlled trials and 13 non-randomized comparative studies assessing 19,767 TKAs were eligible. On the basis of these studies, no significant differences were found between the 2 groups with regard to knee score, ROM, quality of life, complication, and reoperation. The findings indicated that using all-polyethylene tibial components is associated with lower continuous migration rate compared with metal-backed tibial components. Only 13 studies provided adequate data on implant survivorship during intermediate or long-term follow-up. Of these, 9 found that no statistical significance existed between the 2 groups. The other 3 studies found that using all-polyethylene components yielded a higher survival rate than using metal-backed components.

Conclusions

Metal-backed tibial components had no obvious advantages over all-polyethylene tibial components in TKAs. However, this finding should be interpreted with caution due to publication bias, low methodological quality of the included studies, and different surgical interventions.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic study (systematic review and meta-analysis), Level III.

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Title: Tibial component designs in primary total knee arthroplasty: should we reconsider all-polyethylene component?
Authors: Tao Cheng
Xiaoyun Pan
Tao Liu
Xianlong Zhang
Publication date: 01-08-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 8/2012
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1682-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Tibial component designs in primary total knee arthroplasty: should we reconsider all-polyethylene component?

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

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