Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Athymic Rat Model for Evaluation of Engineered Anterior Cruciate Ligament Grafts
Published on: March 26, 2015
SHORT-TERM EVALUATION BETWEEN POLYETHYLENE THICKNESS IN PRIMARY TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY
Rodrigo Sattamini Pires E Albuquerque1,2, Thales Ramos Pizziolo1, Octavio Augusto Tome da Silva1
1Centro de Cirurgia do Joelho do Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Objective:
The objective of the research was to carry out a comparative study between Smith & Nephew ® or Zimmer ® prostheses with thick versus thin polyethylene, in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty, during a short-term follow-up. Thus, the objective was to analyze the survival of the implants in question under the clinical and radiographic aspect.
Methods:
The sample was divided into two groups: Group 1 with thick polyethylene and group 2 with thin polyethylene. A clinical analysis of the patients was carried out and the implants were checked for loosening.
Results:
The groups were similar when compared. According to the Ahlbäck classification, 83% of the patients were in groups IV and V. The median functional score in the postoperative period was similar between the two groups. Postoperatively, the tibiofemoral angle fluctuated between 5 and 6 0 valgus on average. Two complications were observed in each group. None of the evaluated patients presented implant loosening.
Conclusion:
Patients treated with thick polyethylene had the same functional score as the control group, as well as the absence of radiographic changes in this short-term follow-up, with implant survival and a similar rate of complications between both groups. Level of evidence III, Retrospective study.
