Background: High-viscosity (HV) bone cements have been formulated to offer potentially advantageous handling characteristics. However, alteration in the handling characteristics could influence implant fixation and survival. The primary objective of this study was to use radiostereometric analysis after total knee arthroplasty to assess the migration of the Triathlon tibial component fixed with HV cement (Simplex HV).
Methods: Twenty-three patients were followed for two years with radiostereometric analysis examinations at 6 visits. Migration was compared with published thresholds and with a control group from a previously published study from the same center using the same implants fixed with a medium viscosity cement. Inducible displacement was assessed, and Oxford 12 Knee Scores and satisfaction were recorded.
Results: Mean maximum total point motion migration reaching 0.40 mm (SD 0.16) at one year, and 0.41mm (SD 0.17) at two years, demonstrating a pattern of stable fixation, below published thresholds of acceptable migration, and not significantly different from the control group. One implant had continuous migration between 1 and 2 years but was clinically asymptomatic. Mean maximum total point motion inducible displacement measured at least one year postoperatively was 0.3 mm (SD 0.12). Mean Oxford 12 Knee Scores improved from 19 (SD 7) preoperatively to 42 (SD 8) 2 years postoperatively.
Conclusions: The use of HV cement demonstrated an acceptable pattern of migration at 2 years, indicating low risk for aseptic loosening.
Keywords: high viscosity bone cement; implant migration; inducible displacement; radiostereometric analysis; tibial component; total knee arthroplasty.
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