The Role of All-Polyethylene Tibial Components in Modern TKA

James Doran; Stephen Yu; Daniel Smith; Richard Iorio

doi:10.1055/s-0035-1551832

The Journal of Knee Surgery, Table of Contents

J Knee Surg 2015; 28(05): 382-389
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1551832

Special Focus Section

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

The Role of All-Polyethylene Tibial Components in Modern TKA

James Doran

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center's Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York

,

Stephen Yu

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center's Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York

,

Daniel Smith

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center's Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York

,

Richard Iorio

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center's Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

In the modern era of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), a majority of orthopedic surgeons utilize metal-backed tibial (MBT) components rather than nonmodular designs, such as all-polyethylene tibial (APT) components. Interestingly, current clinical evidence does not explain this disproportionate practice by surgeons. The shift in surgeon preference from APT to MBT components occurred in the 1980s following unfavorable results from early studies with APT. However, results from current studies that have revisited the APT versus MBT component comparison demonstrate similar implant survivorship and patient outcomes. Despite equivalent survivorship and improved cost-efficiency, APT components have not achieved equivalent utilization rates with MBT. This review of the current literature, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of APT components, will outline a rationale for the role of APT components in today's cost-driven, outcomes-oriented, patient-centered health-care system.

Keywords

total knee arthroplasty - all-polyethylene tibial components - metal-backed tibial components - bearing surfaces

Full Text

References

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