Finally , with use of a variety of vali date d measures , there was no difference between the two groups in terms of functional status at two , eight , and ten years , regardless of the measure used .
A less expensive all-polyethylene component as part of a total knee arthroplasty has results equivalent to those obtained with a cemented metal-backed tibial component .
BACKGROUND The cost of the implant as part of a total knee arthroplasty accounts for a substantial portion of the costs for the overall procedure : all-polyethylene tibial components cost considerably less than cemented metal-backed tibial components .
We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine whether the clinical results of lower-cost all-polyethylene tibial components were comparable with the results of a more expensive metal-backed tibial component .
Should we reconsider all-polyethylene tibial implants in total knee replacement?
The role of modular tibial implants in total knee replacement is not fully defined . We performed a prospect i ve r and omised controlled clinical trial using radiostereophotogrammetric analysis to compare the performance of an all-polyethylene tibia with a metal-backed cruciate-retaining condylar design , PFC-Sigma total knee replacement for up to 24 months . There were 51 patients who were r and omised into two treatment groups . There were 10 subsequent withdrawals , leaving 21 all-polyethylene and 20 metal-backed tibial implants . No patient was lost to follow-up . There were no significant demographic differences between the groups . At two years one metal-backed implant showed migration > 1 mm , but no polyethylene implant reached this level . There was a significant increase in the SF-12 and Oxford knee scores after operation in both groups . In an uncomplicated primary total knee replacement the all-polyethylene PFC-Sigma tibial prosthesis showed no statistical difference in migration from that of the metal-backed counterpart . There was no difference in the clinical results as assessed by the SF-12 , the Oxford knee score , alignment or range of movement at 24 months , although these assessment measures were not statistically powered in this study
Finally , with use of a variety of vali date d measures , there was no difference between the two groups in terms of functional status at two , eight , and ten years , regardless of the measure used .
A less expensive all-polyethylene component as part of a total knee arthroplasty has results equivalent to those obtained with a cemented metal-backed tibial component .
BACKGROUND The cost of the implant as part of a total knee arthroplasty accounts for a substantial portion of the costs for the overall procedure : all-polyethylene tibial components cost considerably less than cemented metal-backed tibial components .
We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine whether the clinical results of lower-cost all-polyethylene tibial components were comparable with the results of a more expensive metal-backed tibial component .