Modular tumor prostheses: are current stem designs suitable for distal femoral reconstruction? A biomechanical implant stability analysis in Sawbones

INTRODUCTION

High loosening rates after distal femoral replacement may be due to implant design not adapted to specific anatomic and biomechanical conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A modular tumor system (MUTARS^®, Implantcast GmbH) was implanted with either a curved hexagonal or a straight tapered stems in eight Sawbones^® in two consecutively generated bone defect (10 cm and 20 cm proximal to knee joint level). Implant-bone-interface micromotions were measured to analyze main fixation areas and to characterize the fixation pattern.

RESULTS

Although areas of highest relative micromotions were measured distally in all groups, areas and lengths of main fixation differed with respect to stem design and bone defect size. Regardless of these changes, overall micromotions could only be reduced with extending bone defects in case of tapered stems.

CONCLUSIONS

The tapered design may be favorable in larger defects whereas the hexagonal may be advantageous in defects located more distally.

Periprosthetic infection is the major indication for TKA revision - experiences from a university referral arthroplasty center

Background

We hypothesized, that periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) accounts for the major proportion of first (primary) and repeated (secondary) Total Knee Arthroplasty revisions at our university referral arthroplasty center.

Methods

One thousand one hundred forty-three revisions, performed between 2008 and 2016 were grouped into primary (55%) and secondary (45%) revisions. The rate of revision indications was calculated and indications were categorized by time after index operation. The odds ratios of the indications for primary versus secondary revision were calculated.

Results

In the primary revision group PJI accounted for 22.3%, instability for 20.0%, aseptic loosening for 14.9% and retropatellar arthrosis for 14.2%. PJI (25.6%) was the most common indication up to 1 year after implantation, retropatellar arthrosis (26.8%) 1–3 years and aseptic loosening (25.6%) more than 3 years after implantation.

In the secondary revision group PJI accounted for 39.7%, aseptic loosening for 16.2% and instability for 13.2%. PJI was the most common indication at any time of revision with 43.8% up to one, 35.4% 1–3 years and 39.4% more the 3 years after index operation.

The odds ratios in repeated revision were 2.32 times higher (p = 0.000) for PJI. For instability and retropatellar arthrosis the odds ratios were 0.60 times (p = 0.006) and 0.22 times (p = 0.000) lower.

Conclusions

PJI is the most common indication for secondary TKA revision and within one year after primary TKA. Aseptical failures such as instability, retropatellar arthrosis and aseptical loosening are the predominant reasons for revision more than one year after primary TKA.