Osteolysis caused by tibial component debonding in total knee arthroplasty

Late failure of total knee arthroplasties usually results from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene wear or implant loosening. Early failure from osteolysis is uncommon. However, we treated a patient with a failed total knee arthroplasty from osteolysis that developed 2 years postoperatively. The failure was associated with tibial component debonding from the cement mantle with abundant cement and metal debris. Although there was some third-body debris in the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene insert surface, the insert wear was not extensive. Although abundant cement and metal debris were found in the periarticular soft tissues, no ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene was seen in histologic specimens under polarized light. The osteolysis seems to have been caused primarily by debris generated from debonding and torsional motion at the tibial baseplate-cement interface rather than the bearing surface. Although this failure mechanism has been well recognized in cemented total hip arthroplasties, it has not been reported to be a substantial cause of failure in total knee arthroplasties.