Asymmetric Implant Design for Posterolateral Overhang of the Femoral Component in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Computed Tomography-Based Study.

Introduction During total knee arthroplasty (TKA), also referred to as total knee replacement (TKR), patients may experience pain in the posterolateral knee. One possible cause is the impingement between the popliteus tendon and the femoral components. The purpose of this study was to analyze the posterolateral overhang of the femoral component using 3D template software. Methods Preoperative CT scan images of 50 knees (11 males and 39 females) with osteoarthritis of grade 2 or lower according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification were analyzed. The mean age of the subjects was 73.8±7.6 years (range 52-84 years). The Athena (Soft Cube Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) knee 3D image-matching software was used for the analysis. The positions of the two femoral components (symmetrical and asymmetrical) were simulated. In the coronal plane, the component overhang was measured between the resected lateral part of the posterior femur and its corresponding component size, and the two designs were compared in three zones (proximal, central, and distal). Results In the simulated femoral component, the asymmetric design had a significantly lower component overhang than the symmetric design in the proximal zone of the lateral posterior condyle (0.2±1.9 mm vs. 3.5±1.6 mm, p<0.01). In the proximal zone, significant overhang (>3 mm) was observed in 30 knees (60.0%) with the symmetric design, but only three knees (6.0%) had asymmetric designs (p<0.01). Conclusions The posterolateral overhang of the lateral posterior condyle occurs when a symmetrical prosthesis is used. The use of an asymmetric implant with a small, rounded proximal portion of the lateral posterior condyle improves this overhang and is expected to decrease problems such as impingement of the popliteus tendon and improve patient satisfaction.

Exploring the extension quantities of a medial collateral ligament pie-crusting model using a finite element method.

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) pie-crusting can balance the soft tissue during total knee arthroplasty but requires more studies with the finite element method (FEM). We have developed three models of MCL pie-crusting utilizing FEM, treating the MCL in the following ways: (1) as a singular elastic body with both ends attached to the bone (model A), (2) as 19 bundled elastic bodies, each attached to both ends of the bone (model B), and (3) as 19 bundled elastic bodies with an adhesive component in the gap, attached to both ends of the bone (model C). The pie-crusting model was created by adding a cut around the center of each model. The left side of the model was fixed and forces of 80 and 120 N in the positive direction of the x-axis were applied. Model A was extended by 0.0068 and 0.010 mm for approximately 10 punctures. Model B-2 was extended by 1.34 and 2.01 mm, approximately twice as much as model B-1. Model C was extended by 0.34 and 0.50 mm for every 10 punctures added. These findings clarify that the model composed of aggregates of fibers with adhesive parts (model C) is suitable for MCL pie-crusting analysis.

Efficacy of vitamin E for mechanical damage and oxidation of polyethylene rim by stem neck impingement.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine the influence of crosslinking and addition of 0.3 wt% vitamin E in a polyethylene rim on its mechanical damage and oxidation caused by impingement. METHODS: Six ultrahigh-molecular weight polyethylene samples were studied (control; crosslinked; vitamin-E containing; crosslinked and vitamin-E containing; aged control; and aged crosslinked and vitamin-E containing). Crosslinking was attained by irradiation with a 300 kGy electron beam; vitamin E incorporation was at 0.3 wt%; and aging was performed through forced oxidation for 14 days. Resistance to impingement was evaluated by stereoscopic observations, three-dimensional measurements, and oxidation measurements by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. FINDINGS: Rim breakage (delamination and fracture) due to impingement was observed only for the aged control specimen. In contrast, crosslinked specimens containing vitamin E showed no failure of the rim after aging. The addition of vitamin E to polyethylene suppressed its oxidation and reduced the oxidation caused by crosslinking or impingement. The impingement resistance of the control sample deteriorated upon oxidation, whereas that of vitamin E-containing crosslinked polyethylene remained high due to the antioxidant property of vitamin E. INTERPRETATION: Vitamin E-containing polyethylene showed a reduced risk of wear/breakage of polyethylene rims by impingement.