RT Journal
A1 Gioe, Terence J.
A1 Maheshwari, Aditya V.
T1 The All-Polyethylene Tibial Component in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty
JF The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
JO The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
YR 2010
FD February 1
VO 92
IS 2
SP 478
OP 487
DO 10.2106/JBJS.I.00842
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.I.00842
AB Outcomes of total knee arthroplasties performed with modern all-polyethylene tibial components have been found to be comparable with or better than those of arthroplasties done with metal-backed modular components in numerous mid-to-long-term follow-up studies, radiostereometric analyses, and the few prospective randomized trials available.Advantages of an all-polyethylene tibial component over a metal-backed modular component include lower cost, avoidance of locking-mechanism issues and backside wear, and increased polyethylene thickness after identical bone resections.Disadvantages of an all-polyethylene tibial component compared with a metal-backed modular component include a lack of modularity, limiting intraoperative options; no option for liner removal in the setting of acute irrigation and débridement; and no option for late liner exchange.Primary total knee arthroplasty with a modern all-polyethylene design can be done in many patients, with substantial cost savings across the health-care system.